The 2026 Gallagher Premiership Final is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, pitting the Northampton Saints against the Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM UK time. The upcoming matchup features two recent champions, with Northampton seeking to reclaim the Premiership title they won in 2024 and Exeter aiming for their first championship since the conclusion of their previous title run in 2020.
Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has guided a rebuilt, younger Exeter squad back to English rugby’s ultimate stage. The Chiefs secured their Twickenham spot with an intense 27-26 away comeback win over Bath Rugby in the semi-final. Bath rushed to a commanding 26-10 halftime lead before Exeter initiated a relentless second-half siege. The Chiefs shut out Bath entirely in the final 40 minutes while Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau, and Ethan Burger powered Exeter back into the lead.
Northampton advanced following a 45-31 victory over Leicester at Franklin’s Gardens. Center Tom Litchfield scored a first-half hat-trick in the opening 40 minutes, setting a punishing early pace. Fly-half Fin Smith controlled the tempo to earn Man of the Match honors. Director of Rugby Phil Dowson expressed relief after his squad withstood an early physical push from Leicester to secure the win.
Saturday’s championship match reignites a historical rivalry between the clubs at the Allianz Stadium. The two sides famously contested the 2008 EDF Energy National Trophy Final, where Northampton secured a 24-13 victory before eventually earning their promotion to the Premiership. Northampton enters the weekend with a roster featuring top world-ranked players including Tommy Freeman, Smith, and Alex Mitchell.