Suncorp Stadium to host Rugby’s British and Irish Lions first Test in 2025

Rugby Australia has agreed for Suncorp Stadium to host the Wallabies v British and Irish Lions first Test on Saturday 19th July 2025.

The first Test of the British and Irish Lions series and the visitors v Reds tour match have been secured for Suncorp Stadium by the Queensland Government’s Tourism and Events Queensland in partnership with Brisbane Economic Development Agency.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh notes “The British & Irish Lions Tour is one of the great sporting festivals – it is a real landmark of Australian and world sport. Rugby Australia is looking forward to welcoming back the Lions for the first time in 12 years – as well as the tens of thousands of Lions fans from the northern hemisphere.

“It is an exciting fixture of matches all around the country with the Lions taking on our Super Rugby franchises, three massive Test matches, and a marquee match in Adelaide featuring a combined invitational Australia-New Zealand side.”

Before the first Test, the Queensland Reds play the British and Irish Lions in a tour match on Wednesday 2nd July 2025, also at Suncorp Stadium.

The Rugby Australia agreement will also secure extra Wallabies and Wallaroos content for Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium and Suncorp Stadium, with details to be confirmed later.

The British and Irish Lions Tour is one the biggest festivals of men’s fifteens rugby outside of the Rugby World Cup featuring the best players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  

Queensland last hosted the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2013, which brought 52,499 rugby fans to Suncorp Stadium.

QLD Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe adds “the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is one of the biggest events on the global rugby calendar and its coming Suncorp Stadium, one of the world’s best rectangular stadiums.

“Our agreement with Rugby Australia for extra world-class rugby content in Townsville will also deliver an amazing opportunity for the Lions’ army of 30,000 international fans to discover North Queensland’s great lifestyle and iconic visitor experiences.” 

Image: Suncorp Stadium Credit: Ethan Rohloff