British and Irish Lions women: One year to historic first Test against Black Ferns
The British and Irish Lions women's rugby team is set to play their historic first Test series against the Black Ferns in New Zealand in September 2027. The tour will span multiple cities across New Zealand, marking a significant milestone for women's international rugby.
Why it matters
This tour represents a major expansion of the professional women's rugby calendar and highlights the growing commercial and cultural significance of the sport.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The month-long Lions tour will travel the length of New Zealand in September 2026
Sporting history will be made one year from today when the first British and Irish Lions women's team runs out at Auckland's Go Media Stadium.
They will be taking on six-time world champions New Zealand on 11 September 2027 in the first of a three-Test series.
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley says the month-long tour, which was announced in 2024, will be a "hugely significant" milestone and "something truly special for the women's game".
New Zealand Rugby says it is "hugely excited about what's ahead", describing the tour as a "significant moment for rugby globally and a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand to get behind the Black Ferns and some of the world's best players".
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