2025 British & Irish Lions Fixture Cancelled, Replacement Announced

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Despite being named in the original tour schedule, the Rebels entered voluntary administration in January 2024. Rugby Australia later confirmed that it had rejected a proposal from a consortium to take over the club's licence from 2025.

A statement from Rugby Australia (RA) said the consortium's proposals "did not demonstrate sufficient financial viability" and noted that no documentary evidence had been provided to support a projected 18 million Australian dollars (£9.3 million) in funding.

"Since the Rebels' inaugural year in 2011, (the Rebels have) not been independently financially sustainable despite significant additional investment by RA over and above committed club grants," the statement said.

"There is nothing in the consortium's proposal which demonstrates with sufficient certainty that this will change."

The Rebels handed their competition licence back to Rugby Australia when entering administration with debts exceeding 23 million dollars (£12 million), including 11.5 million dollars (£6 million) owed to the tax office.

"The focus right now is on supporting the impacted staff and players at the Rebels," said Rugby Australia chairman Phil Waugh. "As Australian Rugby evolves, we will consider the game's professional footprint, and how it best serves the game and Super Rugby."

He also confirmed the authority is "evaluating possibilities" for the Lions' now-vacant Melbourne tour fixture in July 2025.

With the Rebels match now off the table, the British & Irish Lions have confirmed a historic new fixture against a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

“It is fantastic to confirm the match schedule for the 2025 Tour with the added fixture against a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium – a game that everyone at the Lions is hugely excited about,” said Ben Calveley, CEO of the British & Irish Lions.

The Lions will play nine matches across six cities during their six-week tour, including three headline Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Organisers estimate around 500,000 fans will attend the games.

“With the Tour schedule confirmed, we are also excited to see the final ticket allocation released,” Calveley added. “Together we are set to welcome more than half a million fans at games in 2025 for what will be an amazing spectacle in one of the greatest sporting countries in the world.

“For our own Lions supporters, Wallabies fans and global sporting fanatics, this is the last opportunity to purchase tickets and be part of what will be a truly special six weeks.”

Fri 20 June 2025
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)

Sat 28 Jun 2025
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)

Wed 2 July 2025
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

Sat 5 July 2025
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

Wed 9 July 2025
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

Sat 12 July 2025
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)

Australia v The B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

Tues 22 July 2025
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)

Australia v The B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)

Australia v The B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)

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