Tournament organizers are overhauling the Champions Cup format to increase competitiveness. Starting next season, the try-scoring bonus point system will change. Instead of rewarding teams for scoring four tries, a bonus point now requires a team to score at least three more tries than their opponent. This shift mirrors rules used in France's Top 14 and Super Rugby.

Qualification rules for the knockout stages are also shifting. From the 2026-27 season, only the top three teams from each pool will progress automatically. The remaining four spots will go to the highest-ranked teams based on total points. This change prevents scenarios where teams with fewer wins, like Leicester or the Bulls, advance over more successful sides.

Moving the tournament start date to October aims to boost fan engagement earlier in the year. While organizers face criticism regarding the logistics of including South African clubs, they expect those teams to remain for the 2026-27 edition. The current tournament structure remains protected by contracts through 2030, preventing a total overhaul of the competition format.