- Lions Tour 2025 roars into Perth as part of Western Australia's golden decade of rugby
- Tens of thousands of fans expected to attend Optus Stadium to watch Australian-exclusive match
- Supported by the Cook Labor Government through Tourism WA
Tens of thousands of fans are expected to pack out the award-winning Optus Stadium tomorrow for the opening match of the British & Irish Lions Tour 2025.
This iconic tour is one of the world's most sought-after rugby events, boasting a 126-year legacy, and only arriving in Australia every 12 years, making this Western Australian-exclusive Perth match a must see for fans.
Supported by the State Government through Tourism WA, United Kingdom fans and other out-of-state visitors are expected to attend the match, providing a boost to local tourism and hospitality businesses.
The match is also the latest in the line of several thrilling rugby union events WA has hosted as part of the golden decade of rugby, including the HSBC SVNS in January 2024 and 2025, and the Wallabies vs Springboks blockbuster in August 2024.
This momentum will continue to build when the Bledisloe Cup kicks off later this year and will culminate in the Men's Rugby World Cup Australia 2027, when Perth will host the tournament's opening match and ceremony - one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
For more information, visit www.lionsseries2025.rugby.
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"Western Australia's growing reputation as a world-class host of rugby union events is something I'm incredibly proud of and adds to the State's position as the fastest-growing events destination in the South East Asia region.
"The Cook Labor Government is especially proud to have secured this tour for Perth, as it adds to the blockbuster lineup of sporting events we have secured for WA during the winter season.
"We know exclusive sporting matches like this draw fans to our State from across Australia and the globe, boosting our tourism and hospitality businesses and injecting millions in visitor spend into the economy - all while supporting local jobs and creating vibrancy across Perth.
"By growing WA's reputation as a world-class host of major events, we put the State in great stead to attract bigger and better events every year, which will continue to deliver great economic returns for our tourism and hospitality sectors and the broader State."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The British and Irish Lions only travel to Australia once every 12 years, so to have a fixture here in Perth is a massive coup for our State.
"It also marks the start of an incredible 12 months for rugby union in Western Australia, with the Bledisloe Cup returning later this year, and of course the opening ceremony and match for the 2027 World Cup.
"Western Australia is quickly earning a reputation for being a hub of major sporting fixtures, and as a government we will continue our focus on attracting key events, because we know how important they are for our economy."
