Lions Women

The Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series will take place in New Zealand, the home of the current world champions with the Lions Women’s team playing three Tests against the Black Ferns alongside pre-Test fixtures.

Fans will have the chance to experience everything New Zealand has to offer, with the 2027 Tour starting in Whangārei on 4 September, and ending with the final Test against the Black Ferns in the new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on 25 September. Five cities have been chosen to showcase this historic rugby event, and alongside Whangārei and Christchurch, games will also be played in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington.

• Howden – Series Title Partner

• Royal London – Founding Partner and Front of Jersey Sponsor for the Official Lions Women’s Team Jersey

• Nike - Official Sports Apparel Partner

Royal London will also oversee player and coach development through an elite players’ and coaches Pathways Funding grant which will support the elite women’s player and coach pathways in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England.

A feasibility study funded by Lions Founding Partner Royal London investigated all key aspects of creating a Lions Women’s Tour with a consultation process exploring brand, commercial, financial, spectator, logistical, and scheduling considerations. After a three-part process with positive findings, including that the Tour was projected to be commercially sustainable for all stakeholders, the Lions Women Inaugural 2027 tour was announced.

The feasibility study also concluded that the optimum time for the Tour is 2027 and it was then followed by a Tour host selection process with New Zealand emerging as the preferred Tour destination.