Celtic Challenge Returns For 2025/26 Season

The Celtic Challenge has announced the fixtures for the upcoming 2025/26 season, as excitement builds following a record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup that captured the imagination of fans around the world.

This season marks another major step forward for women’s rugby across Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as the ultimate cross-border competition continues to showcase the next generation of talent while welcoming back established internationals fresh from World Cup action.

New This Season

• Introduction of a Play-Off System, culminating in the first-ever Celtic Challenge Final, where one team will lift the title and be crowned Celtic Challenge Champions.
• Home Derbies in Rounds 2 and 10 promise early drama and a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, reigniting local rivalries and passionate home crowds.
• Double Header Days in Ireland will treat fans to back-to-back action from the Clovers and Wolfhounds, as the Green Wave returns to Irish shores.
• A Trip to the Capital in Round 3 sees Brython Thunder head to Cardiff Arms Park to take on the Clovers, in what promises to be a fierce early-season clash.

The Road to the Final

At the conclusion of the 10-round regular season, the top four seeded teams will progress to the play-offs. The two highest-ranked sides will host the semi-finals, with 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd battling for a place in the inaugural final.

The winners of the semi-finals will then meet in the Celtic Challenge Final, where they will compete for the honour of becoming the Celtic Challenge Champions.

Watch the Action Live – In Stadium or At Home

Building on the success of last season, every Celtic Challenge match will be broadcast live. This will give fans the chance to follow every tackle, try and triumph, whether in the stands or from home.

Broadcast partners will be announced in the build-up to the competition, ensuring comprehensive coverage for fans across all three nations and beyond.

Check out all of the Clovers upcoming fixtures below.

Fixtures

Saturday, December 20

Round 1: Clovers v Gwalia Lightning, Energia Park, 11:30am

Saturday, January 3

Round 2: Clovers v Wolfhounds, Creggs RFC, 3pm

Sunday, January 11

Round 3: Brython Thunder v Clovers, Cardiff Arms Park, 12pm

Sunday, January 18

Round 4: Clovers v Glasgow Warriors, Affidea Stadium, 3pm

Sunday, January 25

Round 5: Clovers v Brython Thunder, Virgin Media Park, 12pm

Saturday, January 31

Round 6: Glasgow Warriors v Clovers, Scotstoun Stadium, 2pm

Saturday, February 14

Round 7: Gwalia Lightening v Clovers, CSE at Ystrad Mynach, 1pm

Saturday, February 21

Round 8: Clovers v Edinburgh Rugby, Dexcom Stadium, 12:30pm

Saturday, February 28

Round 9: Edinburgh Rugby v Clovers, Hive Stadium, 1pm

Saturday, March 8

Round 10: Wolfhounds v Clovers, UCD, 3pm

Weekend of March 21

Semi-Finals

Weekend of March 29

Final

Tickets information available here.

View the full fixture list here.