How to attend the 2025 Lions Tour in Australia

landscape of Sydney, Australia

The Lions Tour 2025 will host some of the most eagerly-anticipated games of 2025 for rugby fans.

The tour, which runs from 28 June – 2 August 2025, will be hosted in various cities across Australia.

Thousands of rugby fans from around the world will undoubtedly travel down under to catch a glimpse of the action.

If you’re planning a trip to Australia, it’s important to remember that you will need to organize your visa documents before you travel.

In this guide, we will outline what you need to know before booking your trip to the Lions tour.

Who are the British and Irish Lions playing?

The Lions, a team composed of the best rugby players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, will be facing off against a variety of formidable opponents over the course of a month when they touch down in Australia.

The Lions will play one match in Dublin against Argentina on 20 June 2025, before jetting off to Western Australia where they will play Western Force in Perth. Below, you can find a list of their full fixtures.

Three of the final four fixtures will see the Lions face off against Australia. The first match takes place in the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 19 July, before the team heads to Melbourne and City over the course of the next few weeks. Here are the Lions Tour 2025 dates:

Date Fixture Location Stadium KO
20 June 2025 The Lions v Argentina Dublin The Aviva Stadium TBC
28 June 2025 Western Force v The Lions Perth Optus Stadium TBC
02 July 2025 Queensland Reds v The Lions Brisbane Suncorp Stadium TBC
05 July 2025 NSW Waratahs v The Lions Sydney Allianz Stadium TBC
09 July 2025 ACT Brumbies v The Lions Canberra GIO Stadium TBC
12 July 2025 Invitational AU & NZ v The Lions Adelaide Adelaide Oval TBC
19 July 2025 Wallabies v The Lions Brisbane Suncorp Stadium TBC
22 July 2025 Melbourne Rebels v The Lions Melbourne Marvel Stadium TBC
26 July 2025 Wallabies v The Lions Melbourne MCG TBC
02 August 2025 Wallabies v The Lions Sydney Accor Stadium TBC

The tour comprises a series of matches across various Australian cities, meaning fans can combine viewing top-tier rugby talent with the picturesque scenery down under!

What are the biggest games of the Lions tour?

Without a doubt, the biggest games in the line-up of fixtures throughout the tour are the games against The Wallabies.

These games take place in three different cities – Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney on the 19 July, 26 July, and 2 August 2025 respectively.

How do you get to Australia from Ireland or the UK?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Ireland to Australia, so if you’re flying from Ireland, you’ll need a connecting flight.

Thankfully it is not complicated to organise a connecting flight, and it usually only requires a stop-off in Qatar, UAE, or a similar location.

Of course, your destination will depend on what game you are going for.

For example, Ireland’s first game is against Western Force in the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Four days later, on 2 July, they head to the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Both of these cities have international airports serving them.

If you are traveling from the UK, you will face a similar situation where you will probably need a connecting flight.

If you do want to complete the trip in one go, Qantas operates a flight direct to Perth from London Heathrow, which takes approximately 16 hours.

Which visa should I choose for my trip?

landscape of Melbourne, Australia

The best visa to choose for your trip to Australia is undoubtedly the Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600).

The 600 visa is appropriate for travel purposes, including attending sporting events, and permits a stay in Australia for a designated period.

However, some personal circumstances may be different which is why consulting with visa experts like the team at Visa First is recommended to determine the most appropriate visa for your travel needs!

When should I book my trip?

Booking your trip well in advance is important for a variety of reasons.

For example, the anticipated high demand during the Lions Tour may mean competitive flight prices closer to the dates.

That’s why it is important that you secure your visas, flights, accommodations, and transportation between match venues as early as possible.

An early and proactive approach will allow flexibility in case of unexpected changes.

Understanding the tour schedule

Familiarize yourself with the Lions tour schedule, encompassing matches in many different Australian cities.

Matches are being held in a total of six different cities across the region, and understanding the geography of the country will aid in planning your itinerary and aligning travel arrangements with match dates and locations.

By meticulously planning your trip, selecting the appropriate visa, and immersing yourself in the experience, you will create memories to last a lifetime!

Here are the six cities hosting the tour:

  • Sydney
  • Melbourne
  • Brisbane
  • Perth
  • Adelaide
  • Canberra

As well as this, there is one match being held in Dublin against Argentina before the squad travel down under.

Read also:
Top 5 Most Popular Australian Visas

Can Visa First help me get my Australian visa?

While it is an exciting trip to plan, it’s fair to say it can also be quite daunting, trying to juggle factors such as travel, accommodation, and visas.

That’s why so many people traveling to Australia choose Visa First to manage the process for them.

We will assist you through each step of the visa process securely and be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

After all, we organize more than 10,000 visas and work permits for our customers every year.

Why should I use Visa First?

  • Experienced team of professionals to manage your application
  • Higher chance of a positive outcome for your visa application
  • One of our visa experts will guide you through the entire application process and answer any questions you have

About the Author

Rory Lynskey

After graduating with a degree in Journalism in 2019, Rory joined the Content Team in 2020. He enjoys writing about travel as well as discovering new places!

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