British and Irish Lions: Historic Women’s tour fixtures confirmed as bigwig cites ‘hugely significant milestone’

Louis Chapman Coombe 21 Jan 2026 9:55 AM

A two layered image of the New Zealand Black Ferns and Lions CEO Ben Calveley — The New Zealand Black Ferns and British and Irish Lions Women will face each other in a three-Test series next year

The fixtures for the inaugural British and Irish Lions Women’s tour have now been confirmed, with the famous touring side set to face the Black Ferns in a three-Test series.

The tour, which takes place next year, will see the British and Irish Lions take on the Black Ferns across some of the most historic venues in New Zealand, while also taking on the Black Ferns XV and an Invitational XV in a mid-week fixture around the aforementioned Tests.

News of the historic fixtures also follows confirmation that global brand Nike will make the Lions’ kit for the 2027 tour, the first time they have made a Lions kit since 1993.

British and Irish Lions Women’s tour fixtures confirmed as three-Test series bookmarked

The Lions will get their tour of New Zealand underway in Whangārei, taking on the Black Ferns XV on Saturday, 4th September. A week later, they will then head to Auckland for Test One against the Black Ferns.

Loose Pass: Unpacking Scott Robertson’s ‘sudden’ All Blacks exit and why the next move is ‘all or nothing’ for New Zealand Rugby

The first and only mid-week fixture will then see the touring side head to Hamilton, taking on an Invitational XV on Tuesday, 14th September, before closing out the tour with Tests Two and Three against the Black Ferns in Wellington and Christchurch.

Commenting, Ben Calveley, CEO of the Lions, said: “This is a hugely significant milestone for the British & Irish Lions. This announcement makes our first-ever tour feel closer for everyone, from fans planning their trip to players dreaming of pulling on the Lions jersey.

Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.

“New Zealand will offer a fantastic stage and we are excited to take the Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series from North to South and create something truly special for the women’s game.”

Acting CEO of New Zealand Rugby (NZR), Steve Lancaster, added: “Lions tours are something truly special, and we want this experience for players and fans alike. Starting in the North and finishing in the South was a deliberate decision to make sure as many parts of the country can get involved in this incredible event as possible, while also making sure visiting fans have the chance to see many of the places that make New Zealand unique.

“Being in iconic New Zealand venues and seeing international rugby of this calibre is going to make this an unmissable experience, and I’d encourage fans to start making plans to be part of this inaugural tour.”

‘I’m still a student of this role’ – Ben White learning on the job in Toulon and how it can benefit Scotland’s Six Nations

Furthermore, details of a pre-tour fixture will be confirmed in the coming months.