PERTH SET TO IGNITE HISTORIC LIONS TOUR AS SIX WEEK RUGBY FESTIVAL SWEEPS THE NATION

26 June 2025 - The wait is finally over! After twelve years, one of the most iconic teams in world rugby has arrived, as the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025 kicks off this Saturday, 28 June, with the Western Force hosting the Lions in Perth, 7:15pm AEST. 

Fans across the country can catch every moment of the action with the most comprehensive Lions Tour coverage ever, available across Stan Sport, 9Now, and the 9Network.

Saturday’s series opener marks the start of a thrilling six-week rugby festival across Australia with all nine matches of the historic Tour streaming live and on demand on Stan Sport. Viewers will also have the option to enjoy an alternate stream featuring Sky Sports UK coverage of the entire Tour live and exclusive on Stan Sport - perfect for expats and Lions fans seeking a different perspective.

The three Wallabies v The Lions Tests will be streamed in stunning 4K on Stan Sport, broadcast free-to-air on the 9Network and streamed on 9Now. 

Returning to Australia for the first time since 2013, The British & Irish Lions Tour is one of the most anticipated events on the global rugby calendar with more than 50,000 international fans set to descend down under.

The visitors bring a star-studded squad aiming to repeat their 2013 triumph and will begin their gruelling tour with matches against the four Australian Super Rugby Pacific clubs in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra before taking on an invitational Australia-New Zealand XV in Adelaide. Their attention then turns to three blockbuster Tests against a resurgent Wallabies side at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (19 July), the Melbourne Cricket Ground (26 July) and Sydney’s Accor Stadium (2 August).

Coverage of the Tour will be presented by a world-class expert lineup including some legends of the game. Hosts Michael Atkinson and Nick McArdle will be joined by former Wallabies greats including Michael Hooper (2013 Lions Tour), Tim Horan (1989 Lions Tour), Matt Burke (2001 Lions Tour), Justin Harrison (2001 Lions Tour) and Morgan Turinui as well as All Blacks legend Sonny Bill Williams (2017 Lions Tour), triple international Allana Ferguson and Aussie 7s gold medallist Alicia Lucas (née Quirk). Experienced caller Sean Maloney will breakdown all the action in commentary.

Offering insight from the touring side’s camp, former Lions and Rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson will provide expert analysis across the three Wallabies v The Lions matches.

Coverage will also feature a specialised Raptor Cam, elevating the experience to another level by taking fans right into the heart of the action, with dynamic zooms and pans around the stadiums. Cutting-edge augmented reality graphics will also enhance the spectacle, delivering a premium viewing experience.

In addition to live and on-demand matches, viewers on Stan Sport can enjoy a huge lineup of shows throughout the week featuring the best analysis, match reviews and previews and the biggest unfolding storylines on and off the field.

Stan Sport’s exclusive lineup of daily shows includes:

Between Two Posts - Monday from 6pm AEST ​
​Unpack the weekend’s action with our experts.

Lions Central - Tuesday from 6pm AEST
​Lions update from on the ground as the Tour travels around the country.

Inside Lion - Wednesday 6pm AEST
​Key analysis of the biggest stories on and off the field during the Tour.

Rugby Heaven: Lions Tour Edition - Thursday 6pm AEST ​
​The Stan team comes to town to soak up all the atmosphere ahead of the next game.

Captain’s Run - Friday 6pm AEST ​
​One last look previewing the teams for the next day’s match. 

British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025 Match Schedule:

Western Force v The Lions ​
​Optus Stadium, Perth
​Saturday, 28 June
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 7:15pm AEST

Queensland Reds v The Lions ​
​Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
​Wednesday, 2 July
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 7:30pm AEST 

New South Wales Waratahs v The Lions
​Allianz Stadium, Sydney
​Saturday, 5 July
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 7:30pm AEST

ACT Brumbies v The Lions
​GIO Stadium, Canberra
​Wednesday, 9 July
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 7:30pm AEST

AUNZ Invitational XV v The Lions
​Adelaide Oval
​Saturday, 12 July
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 7:30pm AEST

Wallabies v The Lions
​Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
​Saturday, 19 July
​Live in 4K on Stan Sport & Live on 9Now and the 9Network from 7:00pm AEST

First Nations & Pasifika XV v The Lions
​Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
​Tuesday, 22 July
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 7:30pm AEST

Wallabies v The Lions
​Melbourne Cricket Ground
​Saturday, 26 July
​Live in 4K on Stan Sport & Live on 9Now and the 9Network from 7:00pm AEST

Wallabies v The Lions
​Accor Stadium, Sydney
​Saturday, 2 August
​Live in 4K on Stan Sport & Live on 9Now and the 9Network from 7:00pm AEST

The Lions Tour forms part of a blockbuster lineup of sport on Stan in the coming months including Wimbledon (30 June - 13 July), All Blacks v France Test Series (5, 12 & 19 July), the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England (23 August - 28 September) and the UEFA Super Cup (13 August) streaming live and on demand on Stan Sport as well as an epic boxing showdown, SBW v Paul Gallen live and exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View on 16 July.

For more information, please contact Stan publicity: 

Hamish Birt
​Senior PR Manager, Stan ​
​Hamish.Birt@stan.com.au

Jason Evans ​
​Senior Publicist, Stan
​Jason.Evans@stan.com.au

For all Stan Publicity assets, go to: stan.news