The 2025 British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia has been released today. The nine-match schedule for 2025 will also include a first-ever clash with a combined Australia and New Zealand side taking on the British and Irish Lions.
Ireland boss, Andy Farrell, who toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 as defense coach, is the favorite to take over as the head coach of the team in 2025.
The Lions' three Tests against the Wallabies will take place on July 19, July 26, and August 2 in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
They will also face the likes of the Western Force before competing against fellow Australian Super Rugby Pacific sides, the Queensland Reds, the NSW Waratahs, and the ACT Brumbies.
Before the first test, the team will travel to the Adelaide Oval to face a combined Wallabies-All-Blacks team for the first time ever.
The Lions last win on Australian soil came in 2013.
British and Irish Lions CEO, Ben Calveley, said: “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.
Fixture schedule announced 🙌
Our fixtures for the 2025 Tour of Australia have been confirmed 🇦🇺
For the full schedule and more details visit our website ⤵️— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 19, 2023
"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 and Irish Lions brand and organization have never been stronger with a global fan base of some 14 million people, a significant following, and a strong level of engagement through our various digital platforms, and a wide range of commercial partners comprised of some of the biggest brands and organizations 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."
Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh, added: “The British and 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 fixture 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.”
Further details around pre-tour activities, including a pre-tour warm-up fixture, will be announced at a later stage.
2025 Lions Tour to Australia (kick off times TBC)
28 June, Lions vs Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
2 July, Lions vs Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
5 July, Lions vs NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
9 July, Lions vs ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
12 July, Lions vs Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
19 July, 1st Test, Lions vs Wallabies, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
22 July, Lions vs Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
26 July, 2nd Test, Lions vs Wallabies, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
2 Aug, 3rd Test, Lions vs Wallabies, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
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