EPCR and DHL extend successful five-year collaboration

DHL confirmed as Official Global Logistics Partner through the 2026/27 season
Partnership to continue driving visibility in key markets and deepen engagement with employees and customers
With the opening rounds of the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup just days away, EPCR and DHL are pleased to announce a two-year extension of their successful partnership. The world’s leading international express logistics provider will continue as the Official Logistics Partner of both the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Now entering its fifth season, the partnership reflects DHL’s long-standing commitment to rugby worldwide. In addition to its collaboration with EPCR, DHL also supports Investec Champions Cup clubs Harlequins, Munster Rugby, and the DHL Stormers.
Jacques Raynaud, CEO of EPCR, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with DHL for the next two seasons. When we began working together in 2021, we identified three shared priorities: enhancing brand visibility for DHL in key tournament markets; strengthening B2B and employee engagement through outstanding VIP experiences; and building a collaborative, flexible, and pragmatic partnership.
“This extension is a clear demonstration of our joint success. DHL is deeply embedded in global rugby, and we look forward to continuing to work with the market leader to deliver exceptional activations and results.”
Elliott Santon, Head of Global Sponsorships for DHL Express, added, “Our collaboration with EPCR over the past five years has delivered outstanding results and we are looking forward to build on that success in the upcoming seasons. Rugby continues to play a key role in our partnership portfolio, with both the sport and our DHL brand, being fueled by passion, speed and teamwork. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with the teams, our employees and our customers – and cannot wait to celebrate this year’s champions.”
A hallmark of the partnership has been the creation of high-impact, innovative digital content that boosts DHL’s brand visibility and strengthens connections with rugby fans across key markets. Building on the successful ‘Rugby Delivered’ concept, DHL has launched its 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup campaign featuring Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Maxime Lucu (Union Bordeaux Bègles), Thibaud Flament (Stade Toulousain), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Gianmarco Lucchesi (RC Toulon), Alex Kendellen (Munster Rugby), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby) and Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby).
EPCR competition returns this week, with Round 1 taking place from 5 to 7 December. As clubs prepare, rivalries reignite and supporters get ready to cheer on their teams, anticipation is building for what promises to be another unforgettable season.
Fans are also eagerly anticipating the EPCR Finals Weekend in Bilbao on 22 and 23 May 2026, the pinnacle of international club rugby. Demand has already been remarkable, with over 50% of tickets sold before 2025/26 season has even kicked off.
DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialised solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”. DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
About EPCR
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is the organiser of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. EPCR’s mission is to create outstanding rugby experiences for all key stakeholders, including leagues, clubs, players, match officials, unions, fans, broadcast and commercial partners, communities and the media.
The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup feature clubs from the Gallagher Premiership, TOP 14 and United Rugby Championship. 42 clubs from three leagues and eight unions compete each season to win club rugby’s most elite titles. Broadcast to over 100 territories around the world, last season EPCR’s tournaments welcomed 1.5 million fans into stadia and achieved a broadcast audience of over 70 million viewers.
The EPCR Finals Weekend is a destination rugby weekend held in a different city every year. On 22 and 23 May 2026, the vibrant Basque city of Bilbao will welcome the EPCR Challenge Cup Final and Investec Champions Cup Final to the stunning San Mamés Stadium
Established in 2014 with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, EPCR has the following members: Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR), Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), Premier Rugby Ltd (PRL), PRO Rugby Championship DAC (URC), Rugby Football Union (RFU), Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
The Board of EPCR has the following members: Dominic McKay (Chairman), Jacques Raynaud (EPCR CEO), Martin Anayi (URC), Emmanuel Eschalier (LNR), Simon Massie-Taylor (PRL), Mark McCafferty (independent director), Arnaud Nourry (independent director), Jérémie Lecha (FFR) and Kevin Potts (IRFU).
EPCR’s revenues are distributed on the basis of an equal three-way division to Premiership Rugby clubs, URC clubs and LNR clubs.

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