The British & Irish Lions will play their first ever match in Ireland when they face Argentina before jetting out to Australia for their 2025 tour.
The Lions will host the Pumas at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Friday, June 20, 2025 – eight days before opening their Australia tour against Western Force in Perth.
Ahead of their 2021 South Africa tour, the Lions faced Japan in Edinburgh, while back in 2005 they took on Argentina in Cardiff.
Argentina reached the World Cup semi-finals, where they were swept away by New Zealand. Michael Cheika’s Pumas were then squeezed out by England in the third-place play-off.
Andy Farrell is the overwhelming favourite to lead the Lions’ Australia tour, especially after long-time recurring boss Warren Gatland tipped the Ireland head coach for the role.
Lions chiefs hope the home shores Test will allow supporters who cannot travel to Australia a chance to watch the famed tourists live.
“British and 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,” said Lions CEO Ben Calveley.
“This pre-tour fixture is one such example of this and builds on the success of the fixture against Japan at Murrayfield in 2021. The fans are a core part of what makes a great Lions tour.
“This fixture in Aviva Stadium gives fans who may not be travelling to Australia the opportunity to see the Lions in action which is really important to us.”
