british and irish lions tour fixtures 2025

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British & Irish Lions Announce Itinerary For 2025 Australia Tour

19th July 2023 08:10

Conor Murray is pictured with fellow Ireland international Jack Conan following the British & Irish Lions' 2021 victory over Japan at BT Murrayfield ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

The British & Irish Lions have today released the nine-match schedule for the 2025 tour to Australia, including three Test matches against the Wallabies.

Two years out from the tour, it has been confirmed that the eagerly-awaited Test clashes will take place on July 19, July 26 and August 2. The Tests will take place in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney respectively.

The British & Irish Lions will travel throughout Australia with games being held in some of the most impressive stadiums in world sport.

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The Lions will begin the tour in Perth against the Western Force before facing fellow Australian Super Rugby Pacific sides, the Queensland Reds, the NSW Waratahs, and the ACT Brumbies.

The Lions will continue their preparation for the first Test by facing an invitational Australian and New Zealand team in a clash at the Adelaide Oval.

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host the first Test on Saturday, July 19. Following this, a midweek warm-up fixture against the Melbourne Rebels will take place at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday, July 22.

The second Test will be played on Saturday, July 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which has a capacity of 100,000. A potential sell-out crowd at the renowned venue would be a record for a Lions Test, and also one of the highest attendances at a rugby match in history.

The final Test will be played in front of over 80,000 fans at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, August 2.

A strong partnership and a common goal between the British & Irish Lions, Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship has resulted in the Lions having a two-week preparation period before the tour commences.

That gives the Lions the best chance of regaining the Series on Australian soil, a country where they enjoyed their last tour win in 2013. Further detail around pre-tour activities, including a pre-tour warm-up fixture, will be announced at a later stage.

Details on the tour schedule follow the announcement of major commercial partners for the tour, with the British & Irish Lions recently confirming global rugby brand Canterbury as official kit provider and the global insurance group Howden as official front of shirt/jersey sponsor.

Confectionery brand Cadbury’s and sportswear manufacturer Asics will continue as the Wallabies official front of shirt and kit partners.

The 2025 tour to Australia promises to be one of the most eagerly-anticipated tours in history considering the absence of fans for the 2021 tour of South Africa.

Supporters who want to be part of the greatest experience in rugby can guarantee their place for ticket-inclusive travel packages to Australia with the British & Irish Lions’ own travel company, Lions Rugby Travel .

Priority access passes are on sale now, which will ensure a priority window on packages when they become available.

Passes are fully refundable should you choose not to travel and come off your final balance when you book. To purchase passes or for more information, visit http://www.lionsrugby.com/tours.

Ben Calveley , CEO of the British & Irish Lions, commented: “We are delighted to announce the tour schedule today as we look ahead to what is to be one of the most eagerly anticipated Series in history.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank Rugby Australia for the strong level of collaboration in planning for this tour and we look forward to continuing to work with them over the next two years.

“I would also like to thank Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship, whose cooperation has resulted in the longest preparation period for a tour in recent history, which gives us the best possible chance of a Series victory. We look forward to continuing to work with our hosts and our partners to create one of the best tours ever.

“As we begin the countdown to Australia in 2025, the British & Irish Lions brand and organisation has never been stronger with a global fan base of some 14 million people, a significant following and strong level of engagement through our various digital platforms, and a wide range of commercial partners comprised of some of the biggest brands and organisations in the world.

“Our ambition is to further build upon this position and make this upcoming tour the greatest Lions tour ever, positioning it as the major global sporting event of 2025.”

Ieuan Evans , Chairman of the British & Irish Lions, added: “British & Irish Lions tours are unique in the world of sport, both in terms of the ultimate challenge they represent and the cultural impact they have.

“Lions tours to Australia have always been memorable occasions, and the 2025 tour promises to be no different. I know how special it is to pull on that famous red jersey in Australia, having toured there during the 1989 tour.

“What I have learned from those special games is how important the fans are to roaring us on to victory so to be able to announce ticket package details is very exciting.

Being a part of the British & Irish Lions means being able to unite and inspire through extraordinary rugby experiences, and working closely with our host partners in Rugby Australia, we believe that we can provide an epic tour that will be a global sporting event not to be missed.”

Commenting on the announcement, Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh, said: “The British & Irish Lions tour is one of the great sporting festivals – it is a real landmark of Australian and world sport.

“Rugby Australia is looking forward to welcoming back the Lions for the first time in 12 years, as well as the tens of thousands of Lions fans from the northern hemisphere.

“It is an exciting schedule of matches all around the country with the Lions taking on our Super Rugby franchises, three massive Test matches, and a marquee match in Adelaide featuring a combined invitational Australia-New Zealand side.”

2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR TO AUSTRALIA:

– Kick-off times to be confirmed

• Saturday, June 28 – Lions vs Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium) • Wednesday, July 2 – Lions vs Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium) • Saturday, July 5 – Lions vs NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium) • Wednesday, July 9 – Lions vs ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium) • Saturday, July 12 – Lions vs Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) • Saturday, July 19 – First Test: Lions vs Wallabies, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium) • Tuesday, July 22 – Lions vs Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium) • Saturday, July 26 – Second Test: Lions vs Wallabies, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG) • Saturday, August 2 – Third Test: Lions vs Wallabies, Sydney (Accor Stadium)

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Sky Sports to exclusively show 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia; three Tests and six warm-ups

Sky Sports to broadcast eighth consecutive Lions Tour dating back to 1997, with exclusive rights to 2025 Lions tour of Australia; Lions will play nine tour games vs Western Force, Queensland Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, Invitational Australia/New Zealand side, Rebels, Wallabies (three Tests)

Thursday 2 November 2023 17:13, UK

Sky Sports has secured the rights to the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests and six warm-up matches to be shown exclusively live.

The agreement will see Sky Sports broadcast its eighth consecutive Lions Tour, with the partnership starting in 1997 with the iconic 2-1 series win over South Africa.

The Lions tasted Series success the last time they were on Australian soil in 2013, with a dramatic 2-1 series win following a memorable performance in the decisive final Test.

Having been defeated in a Covid-impacted tour of South Africa back in 2021, the Lions will be aiming to make it a second successive series win in Australia as they kick off the first Test in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

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The Lions will play nine games on tour all around Australia, beginning vs Western Force in Perth on June 28 2025.

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Further tour games follow against Queensland Reds in Brisbane on July 2, the Waratahs in Sydney on July 5, the Brumbies in Canberra on July 9, an Invitational Australia & New Zealand side in Adelaide on July 12 and the Rebels in Melbourne on July 22.

That game will take place after the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19, with the second Test at the MCG in Melbourne on July 26 and the final Test in the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 2.

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British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule

Ben Calveley, CEO of The British & Irish Lions, said: "We are delighted to be partnering once again with Sky Sports as our UK & Ireland live broadcast partner for the 2025 Tour.

" Sky Sports have been an outstanding broadcast partner to The British & Irish Lions for many years. The quality of production, presenters, expert panellists, and overall analysis they deliver really enriches the series and makes for a compelling offering for fans watching at home.

"Preparations are really starting to ramp up for 2025 and we are hugely excited for the Tour. Sky Sports will play a key role in helping to further build levels of excitement and anticipation amongst fans and we look forward to working closely with them over the coming period."

Phil Waugh, Rugby Australia CEO, said: "Rugby Australia is excited to be welcoming The British & Irish Lions back to Australia for the first time in 12 years. This iconic tour and the chance to renew the rivalry between the Wallabies and the Lions promises to be a special occasion for everyone.

"We are confident that together, we will deliver a tour that captures the imagination of fans across Australia and Lions fans around the world.

"The manner in which Sky Sports covers the tours has always been excellent and I am delighted they are on board again."

Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports Managing Director, said: "With all its history, the Lions Tour remains one of the most iconic events in the sporting calendar and one we always look forward to at Sky Sports . We're committed to delivering world-class coverage of what is sure to be another fantastic series."

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Schedule announced for 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia

The British and Irish Lions are set to play in front of a record crowd of around 100,000 at Melbourne Cricket Ground during their 2025 tour of Australia.

The MCG has been announced as the venue for the Lions’ second Test against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies on Saturday, July 26.

The series will begin a week earlier at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with the finale at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, which can hold more than 80,000 fans, on Saturday, August 2.

Announcement pending ⌛️ Stay tuned for the 2025 Tour fixture schedule 📅 Coming this Wednesday…. 🕒 pic.twitter.com/7GfXoVwCrs — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 17, 2023

Two years out from the tour, a nine-match itinerary, beginning on Wednesday, July 2 against Queensland Reds in Brisbane, has been confirmed for the Lions’ first visit to Australia since their 2-1 series success in 2013.

The Lions will have the longest preparation period for a tour in recent history thanks to cooperation from Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship.

Ben Calveley, CEO of the British and Irish Lions, said: “We are delighted to announce the tour schedule as we look ahead to what is to be one of the most eagerly anticipated series in history.”

The Lions’ upcoming tour also includes a warm-up match against a combined Australia and New Zealand side in Adelaide.

They are bidding for their first tour success since beating the Wallabies a decade ago, having lost 2-1 in South Africa two years ago following a tied 2017 series in New Zealand.

Crowds were unable to attend matches against the Springboks in 2021 as the three Tests were played behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions.

Ieuan Evans, chairman of the British and Irish Lions, said: “Lions tours to Australia have always been memorable occasions and the 2025 tour promises to be no different.”

The British and Irish Lions are also exploring the concept of an inaugural Lions Women’s Tour following “positive findings arising from a feasibility study”.

Lions’ 2025 tour: July 2 – Queensland Reds (Brisbane); July 5 – NSW Waratahs (Sydney); July 9 – ACT Brumbies (Canberra); July 12 – ‘Invitational’ Australia and New Zealand team; July 19 – Australia (Brisbane); July 22 – Melbourne Rebels (Melbourne); July 26 – Australia (Melbourne); August 2 – Australia (Sydney).

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We wanted to let you know that if you live in the UK, Ireland or Europe and want to book for The British & Irish Lions in 2025, Lions Tour in the UK can help you with that.

If however you are a resident outside these countries and are just visiting them while looking at our site, you can call us on 1-800-960-322 or email us at [email protected]  to find out about our packages. 

Oxford Landing Announced as Official Wine Partner

• South Australian family-owned winery Oxford Landing has been announced as the Official Wine Partner for The British & Irish Lions for their upcoming Lions Tour to Australia.

Oxford Landing will introduce a limited-edition wine label to celebrate the partnership, featuring a unique design which merges the distinctive elements of both the Oxford Landing and The British & Irish Lions brands for next summer’s Tour.

The limited-edition label will be available in wine retailers in the UK and Ireland from 1 February 2025 and will appear on select products. Executive Director Marketing & Sales for Oxford Landing, Jack Glover says their renowned Sauvignon Blanc will be one of these products: “As the number one selling Australian Sauvignon Blanc in the UK, we are honoured to partner with the Lions in advance of next summer’s kick-off.”

The first Test of the highly anticipated Tour to Australia will begin on Saturday 19 July at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host the second Test on Saturday 26 July. The final Test will be played in front of over 80,000 fans at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 2 August.

In preparation for the first Test, the Lions will face an invitational Australian and New Zealand team in Oxford Landing’s home state at Adelaide Oval, while the Tour will also include fixtures against Australian Super Rugby Pacific sides in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne.

“We are delighted to welcome Oxford Landing as Official Wine Partner of The British & Irish Lions for next year’s Lions Tour to Australia and are excited to see this partnership come to life in stores throughout the UK and Ireland. We look forward to working with Oxford Landing to enable us to reach and engage both new and existing fans ahead of and during the Tour, which is one of the most eagerly anticipated in Lions history”, said Tom Halsey, Chief Commercial Officer of The British & Irish Lions.

“We’re thrilled to bring the essence of this partnership to life through our commemorative wine label, bringing a taste of our Riverland home and iconic Australian wines to UK and Irish consumers as they support their team through this memorable Tour. Our philosophy is embedded in every decision we make, from choosing to bottle our wines in South Australia, to aligning ourselves with partners around the world like the Lions. The respect we share for our teammates, pride for our heritage, and dedication to fostering community in doing what we love every day,” added Jack Glover, Executive Director Marketing & Sales for Oxford Landing.

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Picture postcard Perth on Australia’s west coast boasts beautiful beaches, great restaurants and the gorgeous Kings Park with its rich indigenous heritage. Hit the surf, visit one of the region’s wineries, barbeque with local produce, and relax on the beach. Live the outdoors lifestyle and ease yourself in to your Aussie holiday against the city’s stunning scenic backdrop.

Just 30 minutes from the city centre, the port of Fremantle buzzes. Home to trendy bars and cafes, bustling markets, food trucks, a lovely harbour and some great shopping, some holidaymakers base themselves here whereas others just go for the day. The Fremantle Prison Tour, WA Maritime Museum and Fremantle Arts Centre are all worth a visit.

If you fancy another day trip option or long weekend out of Perth, take a ferry to Rottnest Island where the locals go to swim at white sand beaches, snorkel in turquoise waters over shipwrecks and to do some fishing. Rotto, as it is known, is a car-free zone which adds to its relaxed feel. Hiring a bike is the best way to get around but watch out for the quokkas, the cute marsupials which were the inspiration for the island’s name.

Today's rugby news as Welsh winger impresses England team-mate and legend picks Lions bolter

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Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Thursday, August 29.

Welsh kid impresses England international

Christian Wade has praised new Wales cap Josh Hathaway as the two prepare to play together for Gloucester this season.

The one-cap England wing has joined the Kingsholm side from Racing 92, having moved to France after spending three years trying to make it in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.

The former Wasps flyer joins the Gallagher Premiership club with one eye on the league's all-time top try-scorer record, sitting 19 tries behind current leader Chris Ashton.

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However, he'll be competing with the likes of Hathaway - who won his first cap for Wales this summer in Australia - for a place in the Cherry and White's back-three. And Wade believes he and Hathaway will be able to learn plenty from each other in the coming months.

"He came in only a couple of weeks ago," he said. "He has great skills, good pace and footwork and I am looking forward to sharing some games with him and exchanging knowledge.

"I like to learn from everybody. Whatever I can take from him and what he can tale from me is only going to make us better as players and as a team.

"We have a lot of exciting young players so watch this space."

Robinson backs 'special' rookie for Lions tour

Jason Robinson has thrown his backing behind 21-year-old Exeter Chiefs winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso as a potential option for next year's Lions squad.

The Lions are set to travel to Australia next June, and Robinson says Feyi-Waboso is destined for big things, having already won four Test caps for England under Steve Borthwick after turning down Wales.

Interviewed by Rugby World in its one year to go magazine on the 2025 tour, he was asked if he saw any potential bolters in terms of earning a place in the squad for next year’s trip.

“I’m not sure if he is a bolter anymore but it’s got to be Immanuel Feyi-Waboso," he replied. "I see someone who is quite raw and not fully tapped into as a prospect. Given more of an opportunity and utilised in the game more, he can do things.

“Give him the ball with nothing on and he can earn you five metres over the gainline. He is naturally gifted and keen to learn and develop. He will be special.”

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South Africa issue warning to fans

SA Rugby have warned fans that fraudulent websites are posing as the official Springbok store on social media.

A number of scammers have reportedly created fake shops on Instagram and Facebook , allegedly using authentic Springbok imagery to dupe supporters.

“There has been a worrying proliferation of online stores on social media channels, preying on fans’ trust and their eagerness for Bok supporter wear,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

“They cut-and-paste genuine marketing material from our apparel partner Nike and our own online store to pass themselves off as official – offering discounted prices.

“We are issuing an urgent ‘buyer beware’ warning to fans to not fall for online fraudsters but to go to the official online store so as not to be fall victim to online scam artists.”

Wilson becomes latest Wallabies captain

Australia have named Queensland Reds star Harry Wilson as their new captain ahead of the upcoming Test with Argentina in La Plata.

His former Queensland and Brothers Rugby teammate Hamish Stewart is, meanwhile, set to become Wallaby number 986, and will start at inside centre.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have bounced back from the travel and time difference since arriving in Buenos Aires, with today’s training being our most energetic.”

“For us, we know the Argentinians will enjoy vocal home support but we’ve also had plenty of encouragement from back in Australia, which we have appreciated and will try to justify.”

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen

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