The first European Rugby Champions Cup winners were Toulouse, who won the inaugural competition (then known as the Heineken Cup) back in the 1995-96 season. Since then many of the most famous sides on the continent have etched their name on the trophy.

Bordeaux Bègles are the current holders, having won their first title last year, and are still in with a chance of retaining the cup. They face four-time winners Leinster in this year’s Investec Champions Cup final, which takes place in Bilbao on Saturday 23 May 2026.

• Related: European Champions Cup fixtures

French teams have historically been the most successful in the tournament, winning 13 of the 30 finals contested so far. They’ve also produced last five European Rugby Champions Cup winners, with Exeter Chiefs the last side from elsewhere to taste silverware.

Original champions Toulouse are the most successful in the tournament’s history, having lifted the trophy six times.

Below you’ll find every European Rugby Champions Cup winner to date, along with details of their opponents in each final and the result on the day. But who will we be adding to this list after Saturday 23 May?

• Read more: How to watch European Champions Cup rugby from anywhere

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European Rugby Champions Cup winners

1995-96

Winners: Toulouse
Runners-up: Cardiff
Score in final: 21-18
Location: National Stadium, Cardiff

The first European trophy was awarded to Toulouse, whose six wins overall makes them the most successful team in the history of the competition.

The 1996 final was so tight they needed to go into extra time to decide it. Cardiff put up a good fight on the day but all of their points came from penalties kicked by Adrian Davies. However, Toulouse were able to score two tries to edge out the final.

1996-97

Winners: Brive
Runners-up: Leicester Tigers
Score in final: 28-9
Location: National Stadium, Cardiff

The second final saw an English club in contention for the first time. Leicester scored three penalties through John Liley but it was not enough to beat a strong Brive side.

Brive scored four tries, including two from Sebastien Carrat, to keep the trophy in France. Christophe Lamaison, the Brive fly-half, had a shaky day from the kicking tee, but did land a drop goal.

1997-98

Winners: Bath
Runners-up: Brive
Score in final: 19-18
Location: Parc Lescure, Bordeaux

An English club once again made the final, and this time Bath came away with the trophy. Brive’s Christophe Lamaison was impressive on the day, kicking five penalties, while Alain Penaud (father of Damian) slotted a drop goal.

However, four penalties and a converted try from Bath’s Jonathan Callard was enough to earn the Premiership side their only victory to date in the tournament.

• Read more: Who has captained the France national team over the years?

1998-99

Winners: Ulster
Runners-up: Colomiers
Score in final: 21-6
Location: Lansdowne Road, Dublin

No tries were scored by either side, a first for a European final.

Laurent Labit and Mickaël Carré each kicked a penalty for Colomiers but Simon Mason’s boot cancelled them out and then some. The full-back kicked six penalties, while his teammate David Humphreys added a drop goal as Ulster became the first Irish team to lift the trophy.

1999-2000

Winners: Northampton Saints
Runners-up: Munster
Score in final: 9-8
Location: Twickenham, London

68,441 fans were in Twickenham Stadium to watch Northampton Saints lift the trophy for the first time.

Scoring tries does not always mean victory. Munster went over the whitewash through David Wallace, but despite Jason Holland adding a drop goal, Northampton Saints were the team that came out on top.

The club owe plenty to Paul Grayson’s boot, as the England stand-off slotted three penalties to just edge out their Irish opposition.

2000-01

Winners: Leicester Tigers
Runners-up: Stade Français
Score in final: 34-30
Location: Parc des Princes, Paris

This final was, at the time, the highest-scoring in the competition’s history.

Amazingly all 30 of Stade Français’ points came from penalties or drop goals. Argentina legend Diego Domínguez kicked nine penalties and a drop goal to keep his side ticking over but the last points from his boot came in the 77th minute.

However, Leicester kicked five penalties through Tim Stimpson, and scored three tries, including a last-minute winner by Leon Lloyd. The French side were winning 30-27 until Lloyd dotted down in the 79th minute.

The win meant Leicester completed the treble that season.

2001-02

Winners: Leicester Tigers
Runners-up: Munster
Score in final: 15-9
Location: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Leicester Tigers became the first club to defend a European title with their win over Munster.

Ronan O’Gara kicked three penalties for Munster. But Leicester scored two tries through Austin Healy and Geordan Murphy, with Stimpson adding a conversion and a penalty.

There was also an infamous moment that lives long in the memories of Munster fans. Referee Joël Jutge was looking at another part of a late scrum and did not see Leicester flanker Neil Back illegally hitting the ball out of Munster scrum-half Peter Stringer’s hands. The action saw Leicester clear the ball and snuff out a potential last-minute winner for Munster. The moment is known to some as the ‘hand of Back’ as it was likened to Diego Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ moment in the 1986 football World Cup.

2002-03

Winners: Toulouse
Runners-up: Perpignan
Score in final: 22-17
Location: Lansdowne Road, Dublin

Two French teams battled it out and Toulouse became just the second club to win the title more than once.

Manuel Edmonds kicked four penalties for Perpignan and Pascal Bomati added a late try, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Toulouse.

Toulouse scored a try through Vincent Clerc, while Yann Delaigue added a conversion and five penalties to claim the silverware.

2003-04

Winners: London Wasps
Runner-up: Toulouse
Score in final: 27-20
Location: Twickenham, London

Delaigue played a big part in this final for Toulouse too but Wasps (coached by future Wales boss Warren Gatland) were the ones to claim their first European trophy in 2004.

The Toulouse fly-half scored a try and kicked two conversions. His teammate Jean-Baptiste Elissalde added another three penalties but Wasps just edged them out.

But Wasps scored three tries through Stuart Abbott, Mark van Gisbergen and Rob Howley, infamously making the most of Clement Poitrenaud’s lapse in concentration. Van Gisbergen also added three conversions and two penalties.

2004-05

Winners: Toulouse
Runners-up: Stade Français
Score in final: 18-12
Location: Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Toulouse made the final for a third season in a row and became the first team to win the trophy three times.

This final was also the second to go into extra time. When the full time whistle blew, the score stood at 12-12 thanks to four penalties from Stade Français’ David Skrela and three pens from Elissalde, with Frédéric Michalak adding another for Toulouse.

But Stade Français could not add to their points tally during extra time, while Michalak converted a penalty and a drop goal for Toulouse.

2005-06

Winners: Munster
Runners-up: Biarritz
Score in final: 23-19
Location: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Scrum-half Peter Stringer, who scored a try in the final, inspired Munster to their win over Biarritz with the diminutive figure later named player of the match.

Trevor Halstead also scored for Munster with O’Gara kicking two conversions and three penalties to win the game.

Biarritz’s Dimitri Yachvili had a good match, slotting four pens and a conversion from Isireli Bobo’s try. But they did not have enough fire power to overcome the Irish side who claimed a legendary win in Cardiff.

2006-07

Winners: London Wasps
Runners-up: Leicester Tigers
Score in final: 25-9
Location: Twickenham, London

Wasps grasped their second taste of European glory against Leicester, in the first final contested between two English clubs.

Leicester went into the game attempting to win the treble after already winning the Premiership and EDF Energy Cup. They had beaten Wasps four times already that season and were the favourites heading into the final.

However, tries from Wasps’ Eoin Reddan and Raphaël Ibañez, as well as four penalties and a drop goal from Alex King, cancelled out three penalties from Leicester’s Andy Goode.

• Related: The fly-halves who battled Jonny Wilkinson for England’s number 10 shirt

2007-08

Winners: Munster
Runners-up: Toulouse
Score in final: 16-13
Location: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

The match was Declan Kidney’s last in charge of Munster before he became Ireland’s head coach and what a way for him to bow out.

The score difference came down to one missed kick from Elissalde. The half-back kicked one of two penalties and if he had slotted the second the final would have had to go to extra time. Yves Donguy scored a try for Toulouse in the game, too.

However, three successful penalties from Ronan O’Gara and a try from Denis Leamy, converted by O’Gara, were enough to seal the win.

2008-09

Winners: Leinster
Runners-up: Leicester Tigers
Score in final: 19-16
Location: Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Leinster won the first of their four European Champions Cups in 2009, having already witnessed Irish rivals Ulster and Munster tasting success in the tournament.

Leicester were their opponents in the final. Heading into the last 15 minutes the score was 16-16. Tigers had scored a try through Ben Woods, with Julien Dupuy adding a conversion and three penalties. Leinster had scored through a Jamie Heaslip try, a Brian O’Driscoll drop goal, and a penalty, a conversion and a drop goal from Johnny Sexton.

But in the 70th minute Leinster were awarded a penalty and Sexton slotted it to win the game for the Irish side.

2009-10

Winners: Toulouse
Runners-up: Biarritz
Score in final: 21-19
Location: Stade de France, Paris

Toulouse won their fourth European title in 2010 and did so through kicks alone.

Florian Fritz slotted a penalty and drop goal, while Skrela added three penalties and two drop goals.

Biarritz made sure it was a tight game with a try by Karmichael Hunt, a conversion by Valentin Courrent and four penalties from Yachvili.

2010-11

Winners: Leinster
Runners-up: Northampton Saints
Score in final: 33-22
Location: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Leinster stormed their way to their second European title over Northampton Saints in 2011. The final was a Sexton special.

He scored two tries and kicked three conversions and four penalties. Nathan Hines also added another try.

Saints scored three tries of their own but Sexton’s boot meant the Irish team claimed the trophy.

2011-12

Winners: Leinster
Runners-up: Ulster
Score in final: 42-14
Location: Twickenham, London

Leinster’s Leo Cullen became the first person to win the trophy three times. The final also saw its biggest winning margin to date and the most points scored overall.

Leinster were completely dominant – although Ulster scored a Ruan Pienaar penalty in the seventh minute, the team did not add to their point tally until the 40th minute. Pienaar later added two more penalties, while Dan Tuohy scored a try.

Sexton had another good day from the tee with three conversions and three penalties. Fergus McFadden also slotted home a conversion. Leinster scored five tries and sections of the media wondered whether they could be the best team Europe had ever seen.

2012-13

Winners: Toulon
Runners-up: Clermont Auvergne
Score in final: 16-15
Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Every point counts in the final and this match definitely underpinned that notion.

Jonny Wilkinson had a 100% record from the tee, kicking a conversion from Delon Armitage’s try as well as three penalties. Meanwhile, Morgan Parra missed just one kick, a conversion, as Clermont lost by a single point.

Another noteworthy moment came in Toulon’s semi-final against Saracens, as Wilkinson faced Owen Farrell. It was a big contest in the media as Farrell was establishing himself as England’s number 10. Toulon won the semi-final thanks to a late drop goal from Wilkinson.

2013-14

Winners: Toulon
Runners-up: Saracens
Score in final: 23-6
Location: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

The rhetoric around Wilkinson v Farrell was back in play during the 2014 final. Wilkinson came out on top as Toulon thumped Saracens to lift and defend the trophy. It was the first time Saracens had reached the final.

Wilkinson had 100% day from the tee once again with two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal. Farrell, meanwhile, slotted two from three penalties. The English team did not manage to score a try, while Toulon dotted down through Matt Giteau and Juan Smith.

2014-15

Winners: Toulon
Runners-up: Clermont Auvergne
Score in final: 24-18
Location: Twickenham, London

This final was the first contested with the competition’s new name of Champions Cup. Despite the new branding, the name of the club being etched on the trophy was the same as Toulon became the first club to win the title three times in a row.

The match was a closely fought encounter and the boot of Leigh Halfpenny proved to be the difference. The Welsh international kicked four penalties and one conversion, and Toulon also scored tries through Mathieu Bastareaud and Drew Mitchell.

Clermont were highly competitive but just couldn’t get it over the line. Wesley Fofana and Nick Abendanon scored tries with Camille Lopez adding a conversion and two penalties.

2015-16

Winners: Saracens
Runners-up: Racing 92
Score in final: 21-9
Location: Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon

Saracens were back in the final for a second time and this time they lifted the trophy to complete the double after also winning the Premiership.

No tries were scored in the match and both kickers had 100% kick rates. Racing 92’s Johannes Goosen kicked three penalites and Saracens’ Farrell slotted seven from seven.

Saracens were the first English winners of the European Rugby Champions Cup since the tournament’s rebranding.

2016-17

Winners: Saracens
Runners-up: Clermont Auvergne
Score in final: 28-17
Location: Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2017 saw Saracens’ dominance continue as they completed the double once again. Clermont also reached – and lost – their third final.

A late Alex Goode try and conversion and penalty from Farrell sealed the final. Saracens also scored tries through Chris Ashton and George Kruis with Farrell adding another conversion and two other penalties.

Clermont scored through Remi Lamerat and Abendanon, with Parra slotting both conversions and a penalty.

2017-18

Winners: Leinster
Runners-up: Racing 92
Score in final: 15-12
Location: San Marnes Stadium, Bilbao

Leinster were back to winning ways in 2018 but in a different country. The final was held in Bilbao, Spain and it was the first time a title decider was held outside one of the countries who compete in the Six Nations.

Again, no tries were scored in the final but accuracy played a part. Leinster had 100% kicking rate between Sexton and Isakeli Nacewa. Sexton slotted three penalties and Nacewa kicked two.

Racing 92, meanwhile, saw Teddy Iribaren slot four of five penalties. Had he scored them all the game would have been pushed to extra time.

2018-19

Winners: Saracens
Runners-up: Leinster
Score in final: 20-10
Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle

This final was the first of a long list that Leinster have contested without being able to get over the line.

Leinster had a great start with an early penalty and a try from Tadhg Furlong. Furlong’s try was scored in the 33rd minute and the Irish team did not add to their points tally for the rest of the match. Saracens managed to get 10 points on the board before half-time with a penalty and a Sean Maitland try.

In the second half Billy Vunipola added another try and Farrell struck the conversion and another penalty. This was the last time Saracens won the European trophy.

2019-20

Winners: Exeter Chiefs
Runners-up: Racing 92
Score in final: 31-27
Location: Ashton Gate, Bristol

Exeter Chiefs completed the double after a thoroughly impressive season for the club. The match was originally scheduled for May but had to be rescheduled for October because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The match was a cracker to watch with both teams going toe-to-toe. Both teams scored four tries each but Joe Simmonds’ boot carried Exeter to the trophy. Simmonds slotted four conversions and a penalty.

Racing 92, however, only kicked two from four conversions. Finn Russell and Maxime Machenaud each missed one.

2020-21

Winners: Toulouse
Runners-up: La Rochelle
Score in final: 22-17
Location: Twickenham, London

Toulouse claimed a record-breaking fifth Champions Cup with a closely fought win over La Rochelle.

Romain Ntamack stole the show from 10 with 100% success from the tee. He slotted five penalties and a conversion from Juan Cruz Mallia’s try.

La Rochelle saw Ihaia West kick four from six penalties, with Tawera Kerr-Barlow adding a try.

2021-22

Winners: La Rochelle
Runners-up: Leinster
Score in final: 24-21
Location: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

This final was the first contested between these two sides and it birthed a new European rivalry.

La Rochelle (coached by former Munster great Ronan O’Gara) were back in the final after losing the season before and made sure they came away with the trophy.

The match was finely poised heading into the final few minutes, when Artur Retière scored in the 79th. Ihaia West added the conversion in the last play of the game to see the French club win 24-21. A tough result for Leinster to take.

2022-23

Winners: La Rochelle
Runners-up: Leinster
Score in final: 27-26
Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

The match was supposed to bre Jonny Sexton’s last in club rugby, though he was in the stands due to injury. Leinster had home advantage as the match was hosted at the Aviva and many backed them to enact revenge for losing against the same opposition in the previous final.

It was a closely fought battle but the French club managed to squeak passed the Irish outfit, denying them a fifth star on their shirts.

2023-24

Winners: Toulouse
Runners-up: Leinster
Score in final: 31-22
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

There was pressure on Leinster’s shoulders with this being their third final in as many years with no silverware to show for it.

The final was tight and it was pushed to extra time after the game finished 15-15 on the full-time whistle.

Tries were exchanged and cards flew, with James Lowe yellow carded and Richie Arnold shown red. But it was the boot of Thomas Ramos that kept the scoreboard ticking over to seal the win.

2024-25

Winners: Bordeaux Bègles
Runners-up: Northampton Saints
Score in final: 28-20
Location: Principality Stadium, Cardiff

History was made in Cardiff as Bordeaux Bègles lifted the Champions Cup for the first time in their history in a close battle.

It was a hard game to call pre-match as the French club (featuring the talents of Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud) had been sizzling all season. But Northampton Saints had beaten Leinster in the semi-finals to cause one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history.

At half-time it was 20-20 but the only second half try came from Bordeaux’s Cyril Caseaux. An extra French penalty secured the result and broke Northampton’s hearts.

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