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Wallabies vs. British & Irish Lions: 50-Day Countdown Begins
The highly anticipated series is set to kick off in July, promising thrilling matches and a important economic boost for host cities.
The clock is ticking as the Wallabies prepare to face the British & Irish Lions, with just 50 days remaining until their first Test match.
The opening match of the three-game Series is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. This venue has been a stronghold for the Wallabies, who boast a 28-10 win record there as 1965.
The following week, on Saturday, July 26, the teams will head to the melbourne Cricket Ground. this iconic stadium aims to host the largest-ever crowd for a Lions test, with a capacity exceeding 100,000. This would surpass the current attendance record of 84,188 set at accor Stadium in 2001.
The potential series-deciding game will take place at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Saturday, August 2. This venue, wich hosted the 2000 Olympic Games, has previously hosted series-deciding Tests in 2001 and 2013.
the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia, occurring once every 12 years, is expected to draw approximately 40,000 fans from the UK and Ireland. These visitors will attend a total of nine matches over six weeks, providing a significant economic stimulus to the participating cities, states, and territories.
Tickets for all matches in the Series are still available for purchase.
Statements from key Figures
“With just 50 days to go until the first Test, and what’s going to be an unforgettable Lions Tour here in Australia, excitement is rapidly building.”
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh stated that excitement is building as the first Test approaches.He noted that “The Lions have 40,000 fans expected to head down under for the six-week Tour. Their ‘Sea of Red’ will be highly visible, and we will be doing our best to counter with plenty of Wallaby gold. There’s still a small number of tickets available, so I would encourage you to move quickly before they’re gone. It’s going to be an incredible lifetime experience.”
Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt commented on the approaching Series, saying, “The Series is certainly coming around quickly and milestones like this one, where we’re just 50 days out from kick off, bring a nervous excitement for coaches and for players. As Wallabies coaches we’ve been encouraged by the competitiveness of Super Rugby Pacific this season and we’re looking forward to watching the Australian teams in the upcoming playoffs.”
Queensland Minister for Sport Tim Mander said, “Queenslanders have had the British & Irish Lions tour marked on their calendars for the past 12 years and the wait is almost over. We can’t wait for the incredible atmosphere that the British & Irish Lions fans guarantee: the chants, comradery and fanfare make for an unforgettable night, and where better than the world’s best football stadium? This is the beginning of our green and gold runway of rugby for Queensland, as we get ready to host the Men’s World Cup in 2027 and the Women’s World Cup in 2029. We hope that this sporting spectacle will inspire many young Queenslanders to get active and get involved in sport as we approach the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor adrian Schrinner expressed his enthusiasm for the Lions’ return, stating, “Twelve years is a long time between tours, so we are thrilled to welcome the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales once again to our shores. The atmosphere around Suncorp Stadium and Brisbane is going to be unforgettable and we’re expecting thousands of fans to fill not just the stadium, but also our hotels and restaurants. The British and Irish Lions Tour is another reason why Brisbane is becoming widely regarded as the sports capital of australia, which offers so much to see and do for touring fans.”
Victoria Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said, “Melbourne is Australia’s sporting capital and we can’t wait to see the MCG packed to the rafters with what could be a record-breaking crowd when we host the British & Irish Lions. We’re looking forward to welcoming tens of thousands of travelling fans who can enjoy everything our city has to offer – from world-class restaurants and incredible cafes to our vibrant live music venues and, of course, the best stadium in Australia – the MCG. Hosting a test between the Wallabies and the Lions will also be a huge economic boost for our state and it adds to an incredible pipeline of major sporting events we’ve got coming up around Victoria.”
NSW Minister for Sport and minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, said: “Sydney is the heartland of rugby in Australia, boasting the nation’s strongest fan base. Accor Stadium is one of the finest rugby venues in the country and is a fitting stage for what promises to be the most crucial match of the series against the old foe. We look forward to welcoming thousands of rugby fans from across the nation and around the globe for another unforgettable international clash in one of the world’s great sporting cities.”
2025 British and Irish Lions Tour Schedule
Here is the schedule for the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia:
- Western Force v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium,Perth
- Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 2 July at Suncorp Stadium,brisbane
- New South Wales waratahs v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday 5 July at Allianz stadium,Sydney
- ACT Brumbies v British & irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 9 July at GIO Stadium,Canberra
- AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:15pm ACST on Saturday 12 July at Adelaide Oval,Adelaide
- Wallabies v British & irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp stadium
