Brisbane rugby fans could be the first to see the Lions play when the famous British and Irish touring side visits Australian shores in 2025.
Brisbane Times can reveal a deal is all but done to have Suncorp Stadium host a Lions Test, with Melbourne and Sydney confirmed as the other host cities.
Will Genia in action for the Wallabies during the Lions tour in 2013.Credit: Dallas Kilponen
Sources close to the situation spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. But they say Brisbane is set to host the opening game of the nine-match tour, with the Queensland Reds kicking things off against the Lions.
But that will be just the start of the action – centred on three Test matches – with Suncorp Stadium now almost certain to host the opening test between the Wallabies and Lions.
Adelaide and Perth wanted to take a Test match from Brisbane, but Queensland’s defensive effort showed teamwork really does make the dream work.
Such is the interstate rivalry when it comes to events tourism, Brisbane stood a real chance of missing out on a Lions test for the first time in 80 years. But representatives from Queensland Rugby, the Queensland government, Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Tourism and Events Queensland came together to remind Rugby Australia officials why the Sunshine State deserved sporting and tourism gold.
Clearly, Queensland’s financial offer needed to increase to compete with offers from other cities. But while more money was put on the table, it is understood a major selling point was that collaborative approach, covering everything from rugby’s legacy in the state, tourism opportunities and Suncorp Stadium’s status as a “Wallabies fortress”.
Representatives from each of the Queensland organisations took part in the formal presentation to Rugby Australia. It is understood Queensland was the only bidder to present as a team.
Sydney-based Rugby Australia bosses have seemingly agreed to knock back more lucrative offers from other cities – for which they should be applauded – and in doing so kept Queensland part of rugby heartland.
One glimpse of the Ballymore redevelopment is enough reminder that the game matters up here.
Construction of the new western stand at Ballymore.Credit: Cameron Atfield
The current phase of the project – the redevelopment of the McLean Stand and the opening of a state-of-the-art national training facility – is due to be completed by the end of next month. That will see Ballymore become home of women’s rugby, the Wallaroos, as well as be a training base for the Wallabies when they’re in Queensland (such as in 2025 during the Lions tour).
The impact of Brisbane hosting two Lions games will also be significant for the economic development of the state.
Approximately 40,000 touring Lions fans are expected to land on our shores with a roaring appetite for adventure, having missed the 2021 tour to South Africa because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This will give the state a genuine worldwide audience – both visiting in-person and watching the broadcast – to market itself as a destination.
The Dolphins have brought a sea of red to Suncorp Stadium in 2023. In 2025, it could come from visiting Lions rugby fans.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
After hosting football World Cup games this year, Queensland will have an opportunity to set its sporting and tourism acumen to the globe ahead of the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027, the women’s in 2029 and then, of course, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
North Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, the Darling Downs and Brisbane will all be promoted to attract international visitors and boost local economies.
Stories of previous Lions tours abound with the ‘Sea of Red’ at the Gabba for the opening test match in 2001 – the venue looking more like a Lions home match than a Wallabies fortress.
Earlier that day, it’s estimated some 5000-6000 Lions supporters swarmed on humble little Easts Rugby Club in Coorparoo for pre-match functions.
These fans enjoy themselves en masse, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on food, drink and local rugby merchandise to make the most of the touring experience.
In 2025, we can expect to see repeats of these scenes but on a much larger scale.
With two matches in Brisbane – first the Reds, then the Wallabies – the Queensland capital will be the big winner.
