In a massive coup for Rugby Union South Australia, Adelaide was this week confirmed as a 2025 British & Irish Lions tour host.
The British & Irish Lions combine the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, touring either Australia, New Zealand or South Africa every four years – meaning the Lions only visit Australia every 12 years.
In 2025, the Lions will tackle an Invitational AU & NZ XV at Adelaide Oval on July 12, marking the midway point of a nine-game tour encompassing all five Super franchises and three Tests.
With the Lions Tour expected to attract 40,000 international visitors to Australia, Rugby Union South Australia CEO Carl Jones believes the Adelaide fixture will deliver both strong economic and participation outcomes state-wide.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have Adelaide host the British & Irish Lions for Game 5 of the 2025 Tour - last year’s Wallabies-Wallaroos double header at Adelaide Oval put South Australia back on the international rugby map and we’re eager to showcase the state once again,” Jones said.
What a Tour this is going to be 🙌
Posted by Official Lions Rugby on Wednesday, July 19, 2023
“And the fixture itself is significant - a marquee match-up between the Lions and an invitational Australia-New Zealand side shapes up to be something of an unofficial “fourth Test” on the Tour.
“The Lions are international rugby’s biggest touring side and their presence in Adelaide will drive new players, new sponsors and new interest in South Australian rugby.”
In a statement, South Australian Sports Minister Katrine Hildyard said the Lions' visit to Adelaide would be "momentous for rugby in South Australia".
We can’t wait to welcome the thousands of travelling Lions fans to SA to watch their team go head-to-head against the invitational Australia-New Zealand XV," Minister Hildyard said.
The kids are excited. The British and Irish Lions are set to visit Adelaide for the first time in 137 years. 12 July 2025 at Adelaide Oval.
Posted by Peter Malinauskas on Wednesday, July 19, 2023
"As well as enjoying the rugby, fans will also have the opportunity to enjoy the premium food, wine and experiences the state has to offer.
"The girls and boys who play rugby will be inspired by some of the best players in the world to be active and chase their sporting dreams.”
The Lions Tour will be the first of the major Rugby events to visit Australia as part of the golden decade of Rugby; the 2025 Lions Tour will be followed by major Rugby events being hosted in Australia including the 2027 Rugby World Cup for men, the 2029 Rugby World Cup for women, and Rugby Sevens at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
To coincide with the announcement of the Lions Tour fixtures, Rugby Australia has launched a new range of Wallabies First membership products, including a membership guaranteeing access to purchase Tour games (including Adelaide fixture), while travel packages for The British & Irish Lions Tour in Australia in 2025 are now on-sale with Wallabies Travel.
