Shirt designed by Matthias Hamzaoui.
Shirt designed by Matthias Hamzaoui - Source: The British & Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions multinational rugby union team has partnered with Qatar Airways for its forthcoming tour of Australia.

The touring team, made of players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, has named Qatar Airways its airline partner for the tour, taking place in July and August 2025.

Ahead of the tour, the Lions have been working to build up its commercial portfolio. This included a media rights arrangement with Sky Sports, which will cover nine games.

Ben Calveley, CEO of the British and Irish Lions, said: “An airline partner is a vital logistical component of every Lions tour and alongside our partners in Rugby Australia we are very pleased to welcome Qatar Airways on board as series title partner and official airline for the 2025 tour to Australia.

“This three-way partnership, between the Lions, Rugby Australia and Qatar Airways will play an important part in delivering the Lions Tour in 2025.”

The deal further strengthens Qatar Airways connections to the international rugby union scene, with the company already a partner of the United Rugby Championship (URC), and the South African airline partner of the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).

Furthermore, the announcement comes shortly after another important Australia-specific announcement in the world of rugby, although in the rugby league code as opposed to union. 

Australia has been revealed as the host country of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with Papua New Guinea also set to stage some games as the International Rugby league looks to tap into the sport’s Pacific fanbase and culture.

Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer at Qatar Airways, added: “We are taking our commitment to the sport of rugby to the next level, flying some of the world’s best athletes, coaching staff and officials to compete in the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025.

“We look forward to enabling rugby fans across the world to connect for this unique sporting event.”

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