British & Irish Lions to play in Ireland for first time in 2025

It has been announced that the British & Irish Lions will play Argentina for the Lions 1888 Cup in Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Friday, June 20, 2025.

The game will mark the first time the British & Irish Lions play on Irish soil as the squad prepares for the 2025 Tour in Australia.

Ben Calveley, CEO of The British & Irish Lions, told the Irish Rugby website: "Excitement is building as we continue the countdown to the 2025 Tour to Australia and we are delighted to confirm details of this fixture which is a key part of the overall Tour. The opportunity to play in Dublin at Aviva Stadium in front of over 50,000 Lions fans will make for a great occasion and the perfect send-off.

"British & Irish Lions Tours have a rich heritage built over 130 years of touring but alongside our strong history which we are very proud of, it is important that we look for ways in which to evolve our Tours. This pre-Tour fixture is one such example of this and builds on the success of the pre-Tour fixture against Japan at Murrayfield in 2021 which was a resounding success.

"British & Irish Lions fans are a core part of what makes a great Lions Tour. This fixture in Aviva Stadium gives fans who may not be travelling to Australia the opportunity to see the Lions in action which is really important to us.

"The 1888 Cup match in Dublin will give even more supporters the opportunity to be part of the Lions exciting journey and we look forward to witnessing a Sea of Red in Dublin before we depart for Australia.

"Finally, I would like to thank The Irish Rugby Football Union and La Unión Argentina de Rugby for their support and collaboration in the organising of this fixture."

Tickets for the fixture, which will be available from €40, go on sale in March 2024.