 Stadium. The contrast could not be greater with their last tour, to South Africa in 2021, which was played behind closed doors during the Covid pandemic. The warm-up matches begin in Perth, heading to Queensland, New South Wales and Canberra before stopping off in Adelaide for an historic fixture against a New Zealand and Australia invitational XV. The 2025 Lions will be the best prepared for many years after Premiership Rugby and the URC agreed to bring forward their showpiece finals by a week to allow the Lions the chance to play a warm-up match before heading Down Under. Lions chairman Ieuan Evans said: "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 thro){kind=link}
Nine-match tour itinerary, featuring an historic fixture against a combined Australia -New Zealand side, revealed as Lions return to Oz for first time since 2013
The British and Irish Lions are set to break box office records in 2025 after the Melbourne Cricket Ground was made available for their series with Australia.
The MCG, with its 100,000 capacity, has not hosted the Lions since 1930 when the tourists played and beat Victoria, but is booked to host the second Test, paving the way for a potential sell-out and a record crowd for the best of British and Irish.
The nine-match tour also features visits to Brisbane’s magnificent Suncorp Stadium for the series opener before the final Test is staged at Sydney’s 80,000 capacity Accor (Olympic) Stadium.
The contrast could not be greater with their last tour, to South Africa in 2021, which was played behind closed doors during the Covid pandemic.