THE schedule for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia has been announced with the three Test matches to be played at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 19th July, the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26th July and the Accor Stadium in Sydney on 2nd August.
The select side representing the best of the best from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will also play six ‘provincial’ matches, starting with Western Force on 28th June at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Lions will then take on Queensland Reds, the NSW Waratahs, and the ACT Brumbies, before facing an invitational Australian and New Zealand team on 12th the July at the Adelaide Oval in their last game before the first Test. Between the first two Wallabies matches they will tackle Melbourne Rebels at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
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2025 Lions Tour to Australia (kick off times TBC)
- 28th June, Lions vs Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
- 2nd July, Lions vs Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
- 5th July, Lions vs NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
- 9th July, Lions vs ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
- 12th July, Lions vs Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
- 19th July, 1st Test, Lions vs Wallabies, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
- 22nd July, Lions vs Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
- 26th July, 2nd Test, Lions vs Wallabies, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
- 2nd Aug, 3rd Test, Lions vs Wallabies, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
The Lions won the Test series 2-1 the last time they visited Australia in 2013. Since then they have battled out a tied series (one win each with one game drawn) against New Zealand in 2017 and lost 2-1 to South Africa in 2021.
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If the non test matches continue the recent pattern of the home nation blocking international players from participating then it will continue to be farcical and the money will dry up. Also really important to move away from Warrenball and have a coach who is up for playing an attractive brand of rugby (and is prepared to give every nation a fair crack at selection). Sky are very reticent about releasing viewing figures but I’d be amazed if there was much interest in the last tour. It was pretty turgid stuff until Finn played. Another tour like that would kill off the concept which like the CG looks very dated as a concept. The 97 tour was a long time ago and it’s been a slow decline since then. The new IRB white elephant tournament means players will need a break in the calendar as well which could make rolling 50/60 PTS over reserve club sides pretty unappealing for players desperately in need of a summer off.
I can see this concept going the way of the Commonwealth Games.
For as long as Lions Tours make barrow-loads ofmoney for the hosting unions, they will continue; money always shout loudest.