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2025-26 Top 14 News, Stats and Info
Watch France’s best rugby union teams collide in the Top 14, which is one of Europe’s three major rugby union leagues. Contested by the best rugby teams in France, this annual competition is known for delivering thrilling gameplay, with clubs vying for a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
The Top 14 was created way back in 1892 and it’s the top division of the French national league system. The league is home to France’s 14 best teams and sits just above the Pro D2. Promotion and relegation occur between the two tiers.
With a history that spans more than a century, the Top 14 has undergone numerous format changes over the years. For example, only two teams took part in the inaugural year of competition, while the league was replaced by the Coupe de l'Espérance during World War I. Additionally, for many years, 16 teams competed for the title and the competition was known as the Top 16 (1995-2005).
Today, the Top 14 is widely regarded as one of the best and most competitive domestic rugby union leagues in the world. The strength of the competition can be seen clearly when we look at the performance of French teams in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Since the 2020-21 season, only French sides have lifted European rugby’s biggest prize: Toulouse (2020-21, 2023-24), Stade Rochelais (2021-22, 2022-23) and Bordeaux Bègles (2024-25).
Top 14 Rugby Format
Every Top 14 team plays all of the others twice (once at home and once away) in a round-robin format. This means that each team plays a total of 26 matches throughout the season. Following this, a knockout format is used to decide the winner of the tournament. This is contested by the top six teams.
Firstly, the teams finishing third to sixth in the table play quarter-finals (hosted by the third and fourth placed teams). The winners then face the top two teams in the semi-finals, with the winners meeting in the final.
The club that finishes bottom of the Top 14 is automatically relegated to Pro D2 and is replaced by the Pro D2 champion. The second-from-bottom team then enters a promotion/relegation play-off with the Pro D2 runner-up and the winner of this game takes a place in the Top 14 for the next season.
Teams that finish in the top eight places of the Top 14 represent France in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The remaining Top 14 teams automatically qualify for the European Rugby Challenge Cup. This means all of the Top 14 teams represent France in European competitions.
FAQs
When was the first edition of the Top 14?
The first edition of the Top 14 took place on 20 March 1892. This took the form of a Championship match that was organised between two clubs: Stade Français and Racing Club de France. Racing Club won the first competition 4-3. However, Stade Français went on to win the title the following year.
Which side holds the record for the most Top 14 titles?
The 14 best rugby union teams in France compete in the Top 14. However, the name and format of the league has changed throughout its history. This includes the inaugural tournament (which was contested by two teams) as well as the Top 16 era between 1995 and 2005.
Which player has made the most appearances in the Top 14?
The top 14 teams in France compete in this annual league. As such, the teams change every year. The teams for the 2022-23 Top 14 season are: Aviron Bayonnais, Bordeaux Bègles, CA Brive, Castres, Clermont, Lyon, Montpellier, Racing 92, Section Paloise, Stade Français, Stade Rochelais, Stade Toulouse, Toulon and USA Perpignan.
Which player has scored the most points in the Top 14?
Stade Toulouse holds the record for the most Top 14 titles. To date, Toulouse has won the Bouclier de Brennus trophy 21 times. This is followed by Stade Français with 14 wins, AS Béziers with 11, and SU Agen and FC Lourdes with eight wins each.
Which player has scored the most tries in the history of the Top 14?
The Top 14 is structured into 26 rounds and this annual tournament kicks off in August. The league is contested in a round-robin format, followed by quarter-finals and semi-finals. The final is held at the Stade de France and the winner raises the Bouclier de Brennus trophy.
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