Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs: 2025-26 PREM Rugby Final

The 2025-26 Premiership Rugby final will crown either Northampton Saints or Exeter Chiefs as England’s champions after the two clubs meet at Twickenham on June 22, 2026. The match, scheduled for 3:00 PM BST at Allianz Stadium, will determine the winner of the regular-season title and automatic qualification for the 2026-27 Champions Cup.

Northampton Saints enter the final as the league leaders, having secured their place with a 34-28 victory over Sale Sharks on May 17, 2026. Exeter Chiefs, meanwhile, finished second after a dramatic 24-21 win over Leicester Tigers on May 18, 2026, clinching their spot in the final. The two clubs have met twice in the Premiership this season, with Saints winning both encounters—28-20 at Franklin’s Gardens in September and 31-24 at Sandy Park in February.

Why this final matters
This is the first Premiership final between Saints and Chiefs since 2017, when Exeter won 27-20. Northampton, who last won the title in 2014, are seeking their first league crown since then, while Exeter aim to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2022. The match also holds significance for the 2026-27 Champions Cup, where the league winner earns automatic qualification.

Key storylines heading into the final
Exeter Chiefs’ form has been inconsistent in the final weeks, with a 21-16 loss to Bath on May 24, 2026, followed by a late recovery against Leicester. Northampton, meanwhile, have remained disciplined defensively, conceding fewer than 20 points in their last five games. According to The Times, Saints’ head coach, Steve Borthwick, has emphasized set-piece dominance as their key to victory, while Exeter’s coach, Rob Baxter, has focused on counter-attacking opportunities.

How to watch the final
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on BT Sport, with coverage also available on ITVX for viewers outside the UK. Free streaming options include the official Premiership Rugby app and select international broadcasters, as confirmed by the league’s official statement on June 19, 2026. Tickets for the final sold out within 48 hours of release, with demand particularly high for the home section at Twickenham.

What happens next?
The winner will be crowned at the post-match presentation, with the losing team receiving the Premiership Rugby Challenge Cup. The champions will also be invited to the annual Premiership Rugby Awards ceremony, where individual accolades—including Player of the Year and Coach of the Year—will be announced on July 5, 2026. For both clubs, the focus will then shift to the 2026-27 season, with Saints and Chiefs already locked in as title contenders.

Head-to-head comparison
Northampton Saints have won three of their last four meetings with Exeter, including both encounters this season. The clubs last faced off in the 2017 final, where Exeter prevailed 27-20. Since then, Saints have won 11 of 15 league matches against Chiefs, per ESPNscrum.

Expert reactions
“Northampton’s defensive structure is their biggest weapon,” said former England scrum-half Danny Gretton in a pre-match interview with The Telegraph. “Exeter’s attack is lethal, but they’ll need to break through that wall early.” Chiefs’ captain, Will Hooley, told BBC Sport that his team’s experience in big games would be decisive: “We’ve been here before, and we know what it takes to win.”

Standings context
Northampton finished the regular season with 84 points (16 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), while Exeter accumulated 80 points (15 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses). The gap of just four points between the two teams underscores the competitive nature of the league this season, where every point mattered in the title race.