The draw for the 2025-26 EPCR Challenge Cup sees Newcastle Falcons in a pool with Lyon, Dragons, Benetton, Lions and Perpignan.

Newcastle will play four of those teams on a home-or-away basis, with opponents and fixtures to be announced in due course by the tournament organisers.

The top four teams in all three pools will progress through to the round of 16, where they will be joined by the fifth-ranked clubs from each of the four Investec Champions Cup pools.

Tournament weekends are:

Round 1 – December 5/6/7
Round 2 – December 12/13/14
Round 3 – January 9/10/11
Round 4 – January 16/17/18

Round of 16 – April 3/4/5
Quarter-finals – April 10/11/12
Semi-finals – May 1/2/3
Final – Friday May 22, San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao.

The 2025-26 fixture schedule with dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage will be announced as soon as possible.

Fixtures will be determined using an algorithm which will take into consideration league calendar restrictions, individual club calendar restrictions, broadcast requirements and the pool draws.