Fans have just discovered how much British & Irish Lions players get paid
Rugby NewsFriday, 20 June 2025 at 11:33
to the players.
It’s the question fans have always wondered: just how much do Lions players actually pocket for pulling on that iconic red jersey?
With the 2025 tour of Australia just days away – and a fiery warm-up against Argentina set for Friday night at the Aviva Stadium – the answer is finally out. And it's turning heads.
Spoiler: they’re not exactly scraping by.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Show Me the Money! Lions Players in for Six-Figure Boost
Thanks to a shiny new profit-sharing agreement, every one of the 38 Lions players will take home around £100,000 – their biggest ever payday for a tour.
That’s a serious upgrade from the £80k in 2017 and a huge leap from the Covid-hit £48k payout in 2021 (yep, that one came with a “what-could-have-been” £10k bonus if they’d won the series – ouch).
Profit Surge Powers Up Pockets
How’s it all possible? The tour’s projected to rake in over £10 million, and the players are now officially in on the action.
That’s right – no more one-off cheques. The Lions' new model means the players will get a cut of the profits. Big rugby energy, right?
Union Power! Four Nations Team Up for Fairer Deal
This isn’t just a boardroom miracle. The deal was hammered out by the players' associations from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Simon Keogh – flying the flag for Ireland – praised the Lions for actually listening
“We’ve reached an agreement that is both fair and reflective of strong collaboration,” Keogh said. Translation: it’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Lions Boss: ‘It’s All About the Players’
Lions CEO Ben Calveley couldn’t hide his delight either. According to him, this deal proves just how central the players are to the Lions brand.
“It’s the pinnacle of their careers,” said Calveley. “And this agreement reflects the value we place on them.”
And fair enough – they’re about to put their bodies on the line for one of the most iconic shirts in sport.
Here’s the Breakdown:
- Each player: £100,000 payout
- Profit-sharing model linked to £10m+ in expected revenue
- 25% increase from 2017
- Agreement struck between all four home nations
- Warm-up match: Lions vs Argentina, this Friday at Aviva
Don’t Miss the Roar!
It’s not just about the money – this is the Lions, after all. But with the biggest ever paycheque on the line, there’s even more fire in the belly.
Tour incoming. Let the hunt begin.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Disgraced Scotland Star Swaps Nations – Set to Face England This Summer
- Dan Carter reveals the one Springbok star that scared him during his career
- Joe Marchant will exit his contract early to return to England
- “Family affair” Ireland boss Paul O’Connell calls up O’Connell
- Meet the rugby WAGS of the English Lions ahead of Australia tour
Full list of referee's for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour:
Fri 20 June 2025
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Sat 28 Jun 2025
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Wed 2 July 2025
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Sat 5 July 2025
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Wed 9 July 2025
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Sat 12 July 2025
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 19 July 2025 – Test Match 1
Australia v The B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Tues 22 July 2025
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Sat 26 July 2025 – Test Match 2
Australia v The B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 2 Aug 2025 – Test Match 3
Australia v The B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Let’s see if you can nail this quiz and prove you’re a true rugby expert. Ready? Let’s go!
MORE QUIZZES:
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading