Fixtures & Venues confirmed for 2027 British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand

Spanning five cities from the North to South Islands, the tour will begin in Whangārei on 4 September and culminate with a final Test against the Black Ferns at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium on 25 September. Along the way, Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington will also host matches, ensuring the inaugural women’s tour mirrors the scale and national reach traditionally associated with the men’s Lions series.

In total, more than 124,000 fans will be able to attend a Test or tour match across the five venues: Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei, Go Media Stadium in Auckland, FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton, Sky Stadium in Wellington and One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.

British & Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley hailed the announcement as a major step forward for the women’s game. “This is a hugely significant milestone for the British & Irish Lions. This announcement makes our first ever Tour feel closer for everyone, from fans planning their trip to players dreaming of pulling on the Lions jersey,” Calveley said.

“New Zealand will offer a fantastic stage and we are excited to take the Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series from North to South and create something truly special for the women’s game.”

The Lions will face the Black Ferns XV in the opening tour match before taking on the Black Ferns themselves in three Tests. An Invitational XV will provide the opposition in Hamilton midway through the series. Kick-off times for all fixtures will be confirmed later this year.

Acting New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster emphasised the collaborative planning behind the schedule, which was designed to showcase the country while maximising engagement for supporters and players alike.

“Lions tours are something truly special, and we want this experience for players and fans alike. Starting in the North and finishing in the South was a deliberate decision to make sure as many parts of the country can get involved in this incredible event as possible, while also making sure visiting fans have the chance to see many of the places that make New Zealand unique,” Lancaster said.

“Being in iconic New Zealand venues and seeing international rugby of this calibre is going to make this an unmissable experience, and I’d encourage fans to start making plans to be part of this inaugural tour.”

Travel packages for the series will be available from May 2026, with general admission tickets going on sale later that year. Further details, including confirmation of a historic pre-tour fixture, are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand is being supported by a $3.9 million investment from the New Zealand Government, underlining the significance of the series for both women’s rugby and the wider sporting landscape.