The reigning champions entering the season were Exeter Chiefs, who had claimed their first title after defeating Wasps in the 2017 final.

The competition was broadcast by BT Sport for the fifth successive season and with five games also simulcast free-to-air on Channel 5 for the first time.

Saracens won their fourth title after defeating Exeter Chiefs in the final at Twickenham after having finished second in the regular season table.

As usual, round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham, the fourteenth instance since its inception in 2004.

After success in 2016 a match would once again take place in the United States with Newcastle Falcons hosting Saracens at the Talen Energy Stadium in the Philadelphia suburb of Chester, Pennsylvania in round 3.