The Kingston Park clash is a 3.15pm kick-off, and is followed on Saturday December 16 when the Falcons travel to Johannesburg to take on South African side Emirates Lions (3.15pm UK time).

Round three brings a home date against Italian URC side Benetton Rugby on Friday January 12 (8pm), with the pool phase completed by a trip to French club, Perpignan.

That game takes place on Sunday January 21 at 1pm UK time, with all four games being shown live on Viaplay (formerly Premier Sports).

Both home games against Montpellier and Benetton are covered by the 2023-24 season ticket, which is available by [**clicking here**][1].

The visit of Montpellier to Kingston Park Stadium will bring back fond memories for Falcons fans, with Newcastle having enjoyed a sensational Champions Cup win over the French outfit back in 2018 thanks to a try from Callum Chick deep into added time.

The trip to Johannesburg marks the Falcons’ first ever competitive game in South Africa while Benetton will visit Tyneside for their first time since January 2001, when the Falcons were 30-19 victors.

Newcastle and Perpignan last met during the pool stage of the 2004-5 Champions Cup, with the Falcons winning on Tyneside but losing in Catalonia.

This season’s Challenge Cup sees three pools of six teams.

The top four teams from each pool will progress through to the round of 16, with four teams dropping down from the Heineken Champions Cup.

Single-leg knock-out games will take place in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the final, which is being held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday May 24.

**EPCR CHALLENGE CUP FIXTURES** *(all times are UK time)*

**Sun Dec 10:** v Montpellier (home, 3.15pm)

**Sat Dec 16:** v Emirates Lions (away, 3.15pm)

**Fri Jan 12:** v Benetton Rugby (home, 8pm)

**Sun Jan 21:** v Perpignan (away, 1pm)

**Round of 16:** April 5/6/7

**Quarter-finals:** April 12/13/14

**Semi-finals:** May 3/4/5

**Final:** Fri May 24, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

The Gallagher Premiership fixtures will be announced on the morning of Tuesday July 18, with Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures due to be revealed on Friday July 14.

[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Season/Index/1850?returnUrl=/newcastle-falcons/Seasons/Seasons