British and Irish Lions Tour 2025: Dates, schedule, format, history & more

A tradition dating back to 1888, the British and Irish Lions Tour sees the finest rugby talent from the British Isles travel to take on the best the Southern Hemisphere has to offer.

Lions Tours, which now take place every four years, make for epic rugby test matches with the best players from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland taking on the powerhouses of the Southern Hemisphere - New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

We take a look at everything you need to know ahead of the latest edition of the British and Irish Lions Tour in Australia in 2025, including the key dates, schedule, format, history and more.

British and Irish Lions Tour 2025 - Dates and schedule

The 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour will feature three official Test matches and six Pre-Test matches.

The fixture schedule for the Lions is as follows:

• 20th June 2025 - British and Irish Lions v Argentina (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
• 28th June 2025 - Western Force v British and Irish Lions (Optus Stadium, Perth)
• 2nd July 2025 - Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
• 5th July 2025 - NSW Waratahs v British and Irish Lions (Allianz Stadium, Sydney)
• 9th July 2025 - ACT Brumbies v British and Irish Lions (GIO Stadium, Canberra)
• 12th July 2025 - Invitational Australia & New Zealand v British and Irish Lions (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
• 19th July 2025 - Australia v British and Irish Lions (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane) *
• 22nd July 2025 - Melbourne Pre-Test (TBC) v British and Irish Lions (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne) *
• 27th July 2025 - Australia v British and Irish Lions (MCG, Melbourne)
• 2nd August 2025 - Australia v British and Irish Lions (Accor Stadium, Sydney) *

* - Test match

British and Irish Lions Tour 2025 - Format

In 2025, the British and Irish Lions will compete in six Pre-Test matches - against Australia's four Super Rugby franchises, an invitational side made up of players from Australia and New Zealand and one other opponent which is to be confirmed.

These fixtures will prepare the Lions for the pivotal three Test matches against the Australia national team, currently managed by New Zealander Joe Schmidt.

Given there are three Test matches, the overall winners of the series will be determined in a best-of-three format.

It is possible for a series to be tied, as was the case as recently as 2017 when the Lions won one match, lost one and drew the decider against New Zealand.

British and Irish Lions Tour - History

The British and Irish Lions Tours date back as far as 1888, when a 21-man squad comprised of players from England, Scotland and Wales visited Australia and New Zealand.

1891 marked the first occasion when a Test match series took place, with a team made up of representatives of the British Isles prevailing 3-0 on South African soil.

The term 'Lions' was first coined by local journalists during the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa in 1924 in relation to the lion symbols emblazoned on the team's shirt ties.

The team officially adopted the name 'The British Lions' ahead of the 1950 tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Since 1950, there have been a total of 20 British and Irish Lions Tours - all involving at least one of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.