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The British and Irish Lions tour is one of the most historic and anticipated events in the rugby world. Every four years, the most talented players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are assembled to take on the best the southern hemisphere has to offer. This Summer, the Lions will play ten games from 20^th June to 2^nd August, including three test matches against Australia. At Spreadex, we have a wide variety of both spread betting and fixed odds betting markets for the tour, so you can bet while you enjoy this Summer’s Lions series. View our markets here.

Since the Lions’ maiden voyage way back in 1888, countless legends of the game have donned the iconic red jersey. Sir Ian McGeechan, Martin Johnson, Brian O’Driscoll have all played for the Lions, as well as Willie John McBride and Mike Gibson who share the record for the most Lions Tours at five each. Playing for the Lions is a unique honour and this year’s tour will create legends of its own.

This year’s tour:

The Lions head down under as strong favourites for the series, currently sat at 1/3* to prevail over the three tests. This is not just a reflection of the Lions’ quality, but also of Australia’s recent struggles.

The Wallabies sit 8^th in the World Rankings, below Ireland (3^rd), England (6^th) and Scotland (7^th), with only Wales ranking lower among the constituent teams at 12^th.  Given that the Lions’ last two tours have been against the number 1 ranked side in the world (New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021), the tourists will head down under with some optimism. This is reflected in our betting markets, with Spreadex’s points spread for the Lions over the test series at 80-84, compared to only 65-69 for the hosts.

Australia has also historically been a happier hunting ground for the Lions than other host nations. The Lions have won 17 of their 23 previous Test matches against Australia, including a 2-1 series last time out in 2013. This comes in stark contrast to their record against South Africa (18 wins in 49) and New Zealand (7 wins in 41).

The Lions have already played three games this Summer, with seven remaining on the calendar. The tourists had a tough opening fixture, losing 28-24 to Argentina in a thrilling but ultimately disappointing game. They then bounced back in their second game with a 54-7 thrashing of the Western Force and followed up with a 52-12 win against the Queensland Reds, scoring eight tries in both games. The Lions will be hoping to continue this momentum as the tour progresses.

The Squad:

Andy Farrell announced his 38-man squad back in May, and it’s safe to say he’s spoilt for choice selection-wise. English second-row Maro Itoje leads a star-studded group comprised of 15 Irish players, 12 English, 8 Scottish, and 2 Welsh.

There will be plenty of competition for selection, especially in the back row where the Lions have world class options such as Josh van der Flier, Tom Curry, and rising star Henry Pollock. The fly half jersey will also be hotly contested, with the experienced Finn Russell being pushed by the English duo of Marcus and Finn Smith.

How can I watch the games?

All matches will be aired live on Sky Sports, with kick-off times usually in the late morning for British and Irish viewers. You can also catch the action on talkSPORT radio, online platforms, and the Lions’ social media channels.

What markets can I bet on?

There are hundreds of markets available for the Lions tour on the Spreadex website and app, for both spread betting and fixed odds betting.

• Outright Tour Markets – bet on how you expect The Lions to perform over the course of the entire tour.
• Outright Test Series Markets – bet on how you expect The Lions to perform over the three-test series vs. The Wallabies.
• Individual Game Markets – bet on the results of individual games, as well the performance of individual players.

Full Fixture List:

The Lions 24-28 Argentina - June 20, 8pm - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Western Force 7-54 The Lions - June 28, 10:45am - Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds 12-52 The Lions - July 2, 10:45am - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 
NSW Waratahs vs The Lions - July 5, 10:45am - Allianz Stadium, Sydney 
ACT Brumbies vs The Lions - July 9, 10:45am - GIO Stadium, Canberra 
Invitational AU-NZ vs The Lions - July 12, 10:15am - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Australia vs The Lions (1^st Test) - July 19, 10:45am - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV vs The Lions - July 22, 10:45am - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Australia vs The Lions (2^nd Test) - July 26, 10:45am - MCG, Melbourne 
Australia vs The Lions (3^rd Test) - August 2, 10:45am - Accor Stadium, Sydney

*All information true as of 03/07/2025. 
Please remember - spread betting losses may exceed deposit or initial stake, so please bet responsibly.