Hollywoodbets Sharks 2025-2026 URC Schedule: Full Fixture List and US Kick‑off Times
Sharks' URC Journey Starts
South Africa’s Hollywoodbets Sharks have finally let the fans in on their 2025-2026 United Rugby Championship itinerary. The list reads like a world‑tour: from Scotland’s Scotstoun Stadium to France’s Stade Ernest-Wallon, with several U.S.‑friendly kick‑off times sprinkled throughout. The first test comes on Friday, 26 September, when the Sharks head to Glasgow to face the Warriors at 8:05 PM local time – that’s 3:05 PM on the East Coast of the United States.
Opening away games are always a pressure cooker, but the Sharks have built a squad that can handle the heat. Coach John Plumtree says the team will use the early travel to lock in a rhythm before the home stretch begins. Fans watching from New York or Miami can already set their alarms – the match will be right after lunch, a perfect lunch‑time binge for rugby lovers.
Key Fixtures and Global Travel
After Glasgow, the Sharks swing back to South Africa for a home‑court showdown against the Scarlets on Saturday, 25 October. The game kicks off at 10:00 AM ET, meaning the crowd in Durban will see the sun rise over Kings Park as the teams line up. This early‑morning slot is a first for the URC, but it gives American viewers a chance to catch the action before their workday starts.
October is a busy month. On the 3rd, the Sharks travel to the Dragons at Rodney Parade, followed by a high‑stakes clash with Leinster at Dublin’s RDS on 11 October. Both matches are slated for afternoon ET slots, giving US fans a solid window to watch two of the league’s most intense games back‑to‑back.
Mid‑season brings the first European encounter – a trip to Toulouse on 7 December. The French side will host the Sharks at Stade Ernest‑Wallon, and the game’s kick‑off is set for 5:45 PM ET, perfect for an evening wind‑down. Six days later, the Sharks return home to host England’s Saracens at Kings Park. That December 13 fixture is slated for 4:30 PM ET, a prime‑time slot that could draw a sizable audience across the Atlantic.
November isn’t any quieter. On 29 November, the Sharks head to Ireland to meet Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium. The match starts at 2:45 PM ET, a slot that fits neatly between work and dinner – ideal for casual viewers. This late‑November run tests squad depth, with travel to three different time zones in just a few weeks.
The URC’s format still hinges on four regional pools – Irish, Welsh, South African, and a combined Italian‑Scottish group. Each team meets its pool rivals home and away, then faces the remaining twelve clubs once, either at home or on the road. All points feed into a single league table, so every match matters. Last season’s champions Leinster lifted the trophy after a 32‑7 beat‑down of the Vodacom Bulls, setting a high bar for the Sharks.
Since joining the URC in 2021‑22, the Sharks, along with the Bulls, Lions and Stormers, have become regulars on the European stage. Their schedule this year underscores the global nature of modern rugby – flights from Durban to Glasgow, then to Toulouse, back to Durban, and on to Dublin, all within a few months. It’s a logistical nightmare, but it also offers fans worldwide an entry point to South African rugby.
For American supporters, the league has deliberately listed all kick‑offs in Eastern Time. That move reflects the URC’s push to grow its market north of the border. Social media teasers already show fans setting reminders for the Glasgow opener and the Scarlets home game. Streaming platforms will broadcast the matches live, with commentary tailored for U.S. audiences.
Looking ahead, the Sharks still have a packed calendar beyond December. The URC schedule runs into May 2026, with potential playoff spots and a chance to challenge the reigning champions. While the exact dates for the latter half of the season aren’t released yet, the early fixtures give a clear picture: a demanding tour that will test the team’s stamina, travel endurance, and on‑field cohesion. The Sharks’ fans, both at home and abroad, will be watching every step of the way.
Gopal Jaat
September 26, 2025 AT 23:53What a massive undertaking for the Sharks – criss‑crossing three continents before Christmas. The schedule forces a grueling travel routine that will test the squad’s depth. Fans will have to juggle time‑zone changes just to keep up with kickoff times. If the team can maintain consistency, they might surprise the traditional powerhouses.
UJJAl GORAI
September 27, 2025 AT 04:03So the URC finally decided that the whole world should sync to Eastern Time, because apparently everyone loves waking up at 2 AM for a match. Glasgow at 8:05 PM local becomes 3:05 PM on the US East Coast, which is conveniently after lunch for New Yorkers but middle of the night for anyone in the Midwest. Then you have a 10:00 AM ET kickoff in Durban, which, surprise surprise, means the South Africans are playing at 4 PM their time, right in the middle of their own lunch break. Do the coaches even realize they’re asking their players to eat breakfast on the plane and then jump straight into a high‑intensity game? If you think the travel schedule is tough, try figuring out how to get from a Glasgow pub to a Dublin bar in a single night. The Sharks will be hopping from Scotland to South Africa, then over to Wales, then back across the Atlantic to France, all while the fans in Miami are still figuring out if they should watch or sleep. Honestly, the only thing missing from this itinerary is a stop at a time‑travel agency. The league’s push for US market share is admirable, but it feels like they’re sacrificing player welfare on the altar of ratings. I can already picture the commentary team mumbling 'good morning' at the same time a South African commentator is shouting 'good night'. Meanwhile, the Sharks’ coaching staff will have to devise a training program that includes nap schedules, jet‑lag mitigation, and maybe a portable espresso machine. It’s a logistical nightmare, sure, but it also offers a unique chance for the players to become world travelers before they earn their caps. If the team can pull off a win in Toulouse after a two‑hour flight from Dublin, you know they’ve got more than just skill. Fans in the US will appreciate the handy ET times, but they might need a calendar converter just to figure out when they can actually watch. In the end, the Sharks’ stamina will be measured not only in tackles but in time‑zone endurance. So strap in, set those alarms, and enjoy the ride – because this season is going to be a whirlwind.
Satpal Singh
September 27, 2025 AT 05:26The schedule certainly tests the squad’s resilience.
Devendra Pandey
September 27, 2025 AT 06:50While many celebrate the US‑friendly kickoff times, the reality is that the South African fanbase may feel sidelined. The early morning slots in Durban could depress attendance, as local supporters are forced to adjust their routines. From a competitive standpoint, the travel fatigue could offset any commercial gains.
manoj jadhav
September 27, 2025 AT 08:13It’s impressive how the URC has managed to map out a truly global circuit, and kudos to the organizers for that effort, however, the players will need proper recovery periods, otherwise the quality of play could suffer, especially during the back‑to‑back trips across Europe; the fans, meanwhile, get to experience a diverse set of match‑day atmospheres, which is a win‑win for the sport, and the Sharks have an opportunity to showcase their flair on multiple stages, so let’s hope the coaching staff plans wisely.
saurav kumar
September 27, 2025 AT 09:36The Sharks should focus on consistent performance rather than just travel hype.
Shashikiran R
September 27, 2025 AT 11:00Honestly, if the league thinks flashing ET times will fix everything, they’re missing the point. Players deserve stability, not a constant jet‑lag marathon. The commercial push feels selfish, and the fans deserve better planning. Fix the schedule before you brag about global reach.
SURAJ ASHISH
September 27, 2025 AT 12:23Looks like the hype train never stops.
PARVINDER DHILLON
September 27, 2025 AT 13:46Time zones are a nightmare 😅 but at least we get rugby 🍿