Full 2025-26 URC Fixture List for the Glasgow Warriors
Supporters will see Glasgow Warriors launch their United Rugby Championship (URC) season on Friday, 26 September, when they host the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Scotstoun Stadium. Kick‑off is slated for 8:05 pm local time, which translates to 3:05 pm on the U.S. East Coast – a convenient slot for trans‑Atlantic viewers.
The opening night is more than a formality; it pits a Scottish side against a South African outfit that has been a steady contender in the league. Coach Franco Smith has hinted that his back‑row will be rested for the final minutes, preserving energy for the grueling schedule that follows.
After the home debut, the Warriors jet to Italy for an early October test at Stadio Monigo. On 4 October they face Benetton, with a 12:30 pm ET start that should suit early‑morning viewers in Europe. The clash marks the first meeting of the season between the two clubs and offers a chance to gauge the Warriors’ defensive shape against a side known for its expansive play.
Returning to Glasgow, the team welcomes the Dragons on Saturday, 11 October. The match is set for 5:30 pm local time (12:30 pm ET) and promises a high‑tempo contest, as both sides have a reputation for rapid ball movement off the breakdown.
Travel resumes on 18 October when Glasgow travels to face the Ospreys in Wales. An early‑afternoon slot at 2:45 pm ET means the Warriors will need to manage jet‑lag from their previous trip while maintaining the intensity that Franco Smith expects from his squad.
The opening phase concludes with a home showdown against the Vodacom Bulls on Friday, 24 October. The fixture kicks off at 7:45 pm local time (2:45 pm ET) and is positioned as a showcase for the league’s South African contingent. After this game, the Warriors are granted a month‑long pause to accommodate the Autumn Nations Series, giving players a breather before the final stretch of the first block.
November brings a return to the road. On 29 November the Warriors travel to Parc Y Scarlets for a fixture against the Scarlets, again at 2:45 pm ET. The Welsh side’s reputation for a robust forward pack will test Glasgow’s line‑out accuracy and scrum stability.
The festive calendar is packed with historic derbies. On 20 December, Glasgow meets city rivals Edinburgh at Hampden Park for the 1872 Cup’s first leg. The early morning kickoff of 10:00 am ET (2:00 pm local) adds a novel twist to the rivalry, traditionally played in front of a Scottish crowd under winter lights. A week later, on 27 December, the second leg shifts to Scottish Gas Murrayfield, maintaining the same 10:00 am ET start. These back‑to‑back fixtures are slated to decide the cup winner before the New Year.
January 2026 opens with a home match against Zebre Parma on 3 January, scheduled for 2:45 pm ET. The Italian side, known for its forward‑driven approach, will provide a stern challenge as the Warriors look to build momentum after the holiday break.
The month wraps up with a marquee home fixture against Munster on 30 January, again at 2:45 pm ET. Munster’s storied history and strong set‑piece will test Glasgow’s tactical versatility heading into the second half of the season.
Season Ticket Benefits and Competition Overview
Season ticket holders for the 2025‑26 campaign will enjoy a bundle that includes twelve must‑see games: a pre‑season friendly, two Investec Champions Cup pool matches, eight URC regular‑season fixtures, and the 1872 Cup clash at Hampden Park. This package is designed to give fans a comprehensive view of the Warriors’ journey across domestic and European competition.
The United Rugby Championship comprises sixteen clubs drawn from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales. Teams are split into four regional pools, playing each pool opponent both home and away, plus the remaining twelve clubs once – either at home or away. Points accumulated across all matches feed into a single league table, determining the top‑four teams that advance to the semi‑finals on 6 June, with the Grand Final slated for 20 June 2026.
Franco Smith has stressed that squad rotation will be crucial, given the travel distances – from Glasgow to South Africa, Italy, and Wales – and the condensed nature of the schedule. The month‑long autumn break will also serve as a strategic window to recover from injuries and fine‑tune set‑piece execution.
For supporters planning to watch from the United States, the schedule provides a range of daylight and evening kick‑offs, making it easier to follow the Warriors’ progress throughout the season. Whether you’re tracking the early Sharks clash, the derby tension of the 1872 Cup, or the high‑stakes showdown with Munster, the 2025‑26 URC calendar promises plenty of drama for Glasgow fans at home and abroad.
16 Comments
Mitch Roberts
September 27, 2025 AT 14:37 PMThis schedule is fire! 8:05 PM at Scotstoun against the Sharks? I’m already setting my alarm for the U.S. East Coast. Bring on the chaos.
Elizabeth Price
September 29, 2025 AT 13:34 PMI'm sorry, but why is the 1872 Cup being played at 10:00 a.m. ET? That’s not ‘novel’-it’s inconsiderate. And why are you scheduling a derby on a Saturday morning? You’re alienating casual fans, and frankly, it’s lazy planning.
Gabriel Clark
September 29, 2025 AT 16:39 PMThe transatlantic kick-off times are actually really thoughtful. 3:05 p.m. for the Sharks game? Perfect for work breaks. Kudos to the scheduling team for not treating American fans like an afterthought.
Aaron Leclaire
September 29, 2025 AT 20:36 PMMunster at home in January? Good luck.
Mark Venema
September 30, 2025 AT 15:50 PMThe inclusion of two Champions Cup matches in the season ticket package is a strategic win. It incentivizes long-term commitment and aligns with the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level. Well-structured.
Brian Gallagher
October 1, 2025 AT 20:23 PMThe rotational strategy under Franco Smith is tactically sound. Given the geographic dispersion of fixtures-from Cape Town to Parma-and the compressed timeline, implementing a tiered load management protocol is non-negotiable for player longevity and performance consistency.
Brian Walko
October 2, 2025 AT 03:48 AMI love that the Warriors are playing the 1872 Cup back-to-back. It’s rare to see a rivalry treated with this kind of intensity. Even if the morning kick-off is odd, the symbolism matters.
musa dogan
October 3, 2025 AT 20:57 PMAh, the glorious spectacle of Scottish rugby-where the pitch is wetter than my ex’s tears and the fans are louder than a Lagos traffic horn. But honestly? I’d rather watch the Sharks than endure another 90 minutes of Scottish ‘passing.’
Steve Cox
October 5, 2025 AT 09:42 AMLet’s be real-this schedule is a joke. Traveling from Glasgow to South Africa, then straight to Italy, then Wales? No one’s body is built for this. And don’t even get me started on the 10 a.m. derby. Who thought this was a good idea? Probably someone who’s never been awake before noon.
Mark Dodak
October 5, 2025 AT 22:16 PMI’ve been following the Warriors since the early 2010s, and this is the most balanced schedule they’ve had in years. The autumn break is genius-it gives the squad time to heal and reset. Plus, the U.S. time slots? Perfect. My friends in Chicago and Atlanta are finally going to watch a game without staying up until 3 a.m. I’ve already bought my tickets for the Munster match. It’s going to be electric.
Jason Lo
October 6, 2025 AT 07:12 AMThis is why you don’t let coaches make schedules. Franco Smith clearly doesn’t understand player welfare. They’re going to be exhausted by November. And the Bulls game at 7:45 p.m.? That’s not a showcase-it’s a trap for the defense. You can’t expect guys to recover from a 14-hour flight and then play a physical game in the dark.
Elizabeth Alfonso Prieto
October 8, 2025 AT 05:12 AMI just cried when I saw the Scarlets match is at 2:45pm ET. I’ve been waiting for this since last season!! I’m bringing my whole family!! We’re gonna wear our scarves and scream until our throats hurt!!
Harry Adams
October 8, 2025 AT 09:22 AMThe scheduling is amateurish. You can’t treat the URC like a regional league. The travel burden on Scottish players is disproportionate. And why is the Bulls game not a night fixture in Glasgow? It’s a global brand-sell it like one. This is just lazy.
Kieran Scott
October 8, 2025 AT 23:25 PMThe entire premise of this schedule is a facade. They’re not trying to build a global product-they’re trying to minimize costs. The early kick-offs are a cost-saving measure disguised as ‘fan convenience.’ And let’s not pretend the 1872 Cup double-header isn’t a marketing stunt to sell tickets on empty winter weekends.
Derek Pholms
October 9, 2025 AT 18:16 PMThere’s something poetic about rugby’s rhythm-how it forces us to live in time zones we didn’t choose. We wake at dawn for Edinburgh, we stay up till midnight for Pretoria. We don’t just watch games-we surrender to geography. Maybe that’s the real point: not who wins, but who shows up, no matter the hour.
Gabriel Clark
October 11, 2025 AT 02:34 AMI appreciate the thought behind the 1872 Cup timing. It’s a new tradition-early morning, cold streets, hot coffee, and the whole city buzzing. It’s not about convenience. It’s about ritual. And honestly? It’s kind of beautiful.