The British and Irish Lions will play Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Friday 20 June in 2025
The Lions’ fixture against Argentina in 2025 will mark the first time the Lions have played Ireland.
The match, along with the Lions’ tour of Australia, will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Last Updated: 07/12/23 11:47am
We take a look at some of the best moments from the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour in Australia as we look ahead to the 2025 tour which be live on Sky Sports
The British and Irish Lions will play in Ireland for the first time as they take on Argentina in a June 2025 warm-up fixture ahead of their tour of Australia. The match will see the two sides compete for the Lions 1888 Cup at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Friday 20 June, 2025.
The fixture follows the Lions beating Japan in an inaugural 1888 Cup contest in Edinburgh ahead of their 2021 tour of South Africa. Sky Sports will show the match live, along with all of the Lions fixtures on their tour of Australia, which begins with a warm-up game in on June 28 and ends with the third and final test on August 2.
“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,” Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said.
“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. “
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.”
Former British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton believes Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will be the favorite to lead the Lions on the Australia tour.
While Lion’s last tour of Argentina came in 1936, the last fixture between the sides ended in a 25-25 draw in 2005. Lions chairman Ieuan Evans added: “This fixture is set to be an amazing occasion as well as an important part of our preparation ahead of the 2025 Tour, as we bid to claim our first Lions Series win since 2013. It’s hugely exciting for the players selected on the Tour to play a Lions fixture in Aviva Stadium
and I’m sure it is something they will all relish.”
Aviva Stadium is one the most iconic venues in World Rugby and has been the scene of some of the greatest moments in rugby over the years. What’s more, Dublin is an amazing sporting city, and many rugby and sporting fans will have enjoyed the camaraderie and the warm welcome over the years.
It is a wonderful destination for Lions fans and a brilliant setting for our pre-Tour fixture.”
British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule
Date Opponent Venue
Friday, June 20 Argentina Dublin
Saturday, June 28 Western Force Perth
Wednesday, July 2 Queensland Reds Brisbane
Saturday, July 5 NSW Waratahs Sydney
Wednesday, July 9 ACT Brumbies Canberra
Saturday, July 12 Invitational AU-NZ Adelaide
Saturday, July 19 AUSTRALIA (first Test) Brisbane
Wednesday, July 22 Melbourne Rebels Melbourne
Saturday, July 26 AUSTRALIA (second Test) Melbourne
Saturday, August 2 AUSTRALIA (third Test) Sydney