Ulster v Edinburgh: 2026/27 URC season opener – date, kick-off time and TV
Ulster open the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season at home to Edinburgh Rugby on Friday 25 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm BST at Affidea Stadium.
It is Ulster’s first competitive fixture of the new campaign and comes two weeks after the final pre-season game against Ospreys. Edinburgh will already be familiar opposition: the sides also met in a warm-up fixture at Hive Stadium earlier in September, but this time league points are on the line.
Ulster v Edinburgh: fixture details
- Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
- Date: Friday 25 September 2026
- Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
- Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
- Competition: United Rugby Championship – Round 1
- TV: Premier Sports
The competitive season starts at home
After two September pre-season fixtures, Richie Murphy’s side begin the URC campaign in Belfast. The Edinburgh game is the first of 18 scheduled regular-season league fixtures for Ulster and the first opportunity to turn the work of pre-season into championship points.
The quick rematch with Edinburgh also gives the opening round an extra layer of interest. The pre-season meeting provided a first look at new combinations and summer arrivals; Round 1 should give a much clearer indication of how Ulster intend to approach the competitive campaign.
What to watch
The opening selection: the first competitive team sheet of the season will show which combinations have won the early selection battles after the Edinburgh and Ospreys warm-up matches.
New faces under competitive pressure: several summer arrivals have been involved during pre-season. The URC opener will be the first chance to see which of them are trusted immediately when league points matter.
A home start: beginning at Affidea Stadium gives Ulster the opportunity to establish early momentum before travelling to Glasgow Warriors in Round 2.
How to watch Ulster v Edinburgh
Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST on Friday 25 September. Premier Sports holds live rights to every United Rugby Championship match. The Match Hub on this page will carry the latest confirmed broadcast details and any late fixture updates.
What comes next?
Ulster travel to Scotstoun Stadium to face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday 3 October, with another 7.45pm BST kick-off. The first interprovincial fixture follows at home to Munster on Saturday 10 October.
Team news for the Edinburgh opener will be added when the official matchday squad is announced.