British and Irish Lions tour 2025: Dates, fixtures and venues
Every four years, a British and Irish Lions tour is still seen by many as the peak of professional rugby, with the finest players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland joining forces.
This summer, head coach Andy Farrell will lead the Lions to Australia with the aim of winning a series in the southern hemisphere for the first time in 12 years. The Lions’ last series victory came on their last tour of Australia in 2013. They tied 1-1 (with one draw) against New Zealand in 2017 and lost 2-1 to South Africa in 2021.
When is the Lions tour to Australia?
The Lions will play a match in Dublin against Argentina on June 20 before travelling to Australia and commencing tour matches on June 28.
The tour will then run throughout July, ending with the third and final Test against Australia on August 2.
How do I watch the 2025 Lions tour?
Sky Sports have exclusive rights to show all Lions matches this summer, with radio coverage of all matches available on TalkSport.
Fixtures: Full schedule
UK times (BST)
Friday, June 20 – 7pm
vs Argentina (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Saturday, June 28 – 9.45am
vs Western Force (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Tuesday, July 2 – 9.45am
vs Queensland Reds (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, July 5 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs NSW Waratahs (Allianz Stadium, Sydney)
Wednesday, July 9 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs ACT Brumbies (Gio Stadium, Canberra)
Saturday, July 12 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia & New Zealand Invitational (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Saturday, July 19 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia – First Test (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Tuesday, July 22 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs TBC (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)
Saturday, July 26 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia – Second Test (MCG, Melbourne)
Saturday, August 2 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia – Third Test (Accor Stadium, Sydney)
When is the squad announced?
The timing of this is unconfirmed but Andy Farrell is expected to name between 35 and 40 players in late April or early May.
To pick your own squad and see how it compares to the squad picked by our experts, use our dedicated Lions squad selection tool.
Who is in the coaching team?
Andy Farrell leads the Lions for the first time having been an assistant to Warren Gatland on both the 2013 and 2017 tours. Gatland, the current Wales coach, steps aside having taken charge of the last three tours.
Three members of Farrell’s coaching team for the upcoming tour have already been confirmed. Aled Walters, the current head of athletic performance for Ireland and thus a close colleague of Farrell, will play the same role for the Lions this summer.
David Nucifora, a former Australia international, has been named as general manager, performance, while Vinny Hammond, another member of Farrell’s Ireland team and part of both 2017 and 2021 Lions touring parties, will be head of analysis.
Farrell said: “In David, Aled and Vinny we have three of the absolute best joining us for the tour to Australia this summer, culminating in the highly anticipated Test series against the Wallabies.
“David’s unrivalled experience will help us shape and deliver such a challenging and exciting rugby programme, whilst also bringing essential insight into Australian rugby and the country as a whole. Aled is a World Cup winner who has worked with players across England and Ireland, and has also coached in Australia and Super Rugby with the Brumbies.
“And Vinny’s Lions pedigree from touring New Zealand and South Africa brings continuity and Lions experience, which will be crucial to success down under.”
Farrell’s further coaching appointments will be made after the 2025 Six Nations.
What happened on the 2021 tour?
The Lions last toured in 2021, when they were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in a tour that was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 – South Africa
Lost 2-1
2017 – New Zealand
Drew 1-1
2013 – Australia
Won 2-1
2009 – South Africa
Lost 2-1
2005 – New Zealand
Lost 3-0
2001 – Australia
Lost 2-1
1997 – South Africa
Won 2-1
1993 – New Zealand
Lost 2-1
1989 – Australia
Won 2-1
1983 – South Africa
Lost 3-0
1977 – New Zealand
Lost 3-1
1974 – South Africa
Won 3-0
1971 – New Zealand
Won 2-1
1968 – South Africa
Lost 3-0
1966 – New Zealand
Lost 3-0
1962 – South Africa
Won 2-1
1959 – New Zealand
Won 2-1
1955 – South Africa
Lost 2-1
1950 – New Zealand
Lost 4-0
1936 – South Africa
Lost 2-0
1930 – New Zealand
Lost 3-1
1924 – South Africa
Won 2-1
1914 – New Zealand
Lost 3-1
1910 – South Africa
Lost 2-0
1908 – New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand: Lost 3-1 (4-match series)
Australia: Won 2-0 (2-match series)
1904 – South Africa
Lost 2-1 (3-match series)
1888 – New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand: Lost 1-0
Australia: Won 1-0
