In a two-part series, all-time great, David Campese, a Wallaby against the Lions in 1989, gives us a rundown of the venues chosen for the 2025 British and Irish Lions series, together with thoughts on where to go and what to do.
For those travelling to Australia to support the Lions, you’re in for a wonderful welcome in every respect. We’re a country that takes huge pride in both the standard of our sporting assets and of course, the pre and post-match entertainment.
My one small caveat is don’t underestimate two things; travelling distances and climate variance. Australia is huge, and getting from match centre to match centre takes some planning if you’re not part of a travel group – so plan well. And if you decide to drive, check the sheer distances involved – they’re massive. As for the climate, there could be as much as 15-20 degrees difference between say Brisbane and Melbourne or Canberra at this time of year, so expect the best, but prepare for the worst!
Match 1: June 20: British and Irish Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
An outlier as away from Australia, but having been to the new Aviva a number of times, I thought I’d add it in. It’s a magnificent, state of the art facility designed by the award winning Populous Architects, with a local lad, Declan Sharkey, the lead designer. The lightness and airiness of the glass roof is a real feature, contrasting wonderfully with the green seating and the grass – and the view is emphasised by a huge height down to the pitch from the upper areas.
For the players, it’s got a small in-goal area compared to others, so you’ll see less kicking deep into the 22, either field or aerial kicks, but the surface is magnificent and the facilities outstanding for all. Don’t underestimate travelling time from the city, but train, LUAS and Bus links are all great.
If you want a pint nearby, I cannot not mention the wonderful ‘Searsons’ Bar at the top end of Landsdowne Road in Baggot Street. It’s massive, spanning four deep rooms into the next street, with music, rugby and of course, Guinness. One of my favourite rugby bars and unmissable if in Dublin.
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 8:00 pm BST, 5.00 am Saturday AEST
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Match 2: June 28: British and Irish Lions v Western Force, Optus Stadium, Perth
Primarily built for Aussie Rules as a community asset but to include both rugby codes and soccer, the Optus is a huge oval with a capacity of around 65,000. Given its purpose, the shape is nearer that of a cricket ground, but slightly smaller. I liken it to a Roman Coliseum – you’ve got that downwards look onto the action, really gladiatorial arena and I’m sure the fans will be very pleasantly surprised by their viewing angles.
The place is super efficient and has some of the biggest inground screens I’ve seen. Perth is a relatively small city compared to others, so fairly easy to get around. If you’re near the ground, I’d heartily recommend The Camfield as a place to meet other fans and to enjoy refreshments. It’s a wonderful pub with a huge beer garden about seven minutes walk from the stadium.
Perth can have a howling wind, but the stadium prevents it coming into the ground. But wrap up warm, especially at night, as the Freemantle Doctor, the wind that blows in, is a lazy wind – it can’t be bothered to go around you so it goes straight through you instead!
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7:45 pm AEST, 10:45 am BST
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
Match 3: July 2: British and Irish Lions v Queensland Reds, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
I mentioned distance – well if you’re driving between Perth and Brisbane, it’s a three day effort minimum! Or a five to six hour flight! However, the Suncorp isn’t nicknamed ‘The Cauldron’ without good reason so expect a battle royale when you get to Brissie.
It’s another multi sport affair, often home to the State of Origin game, where you see hits that might threaten the structure itself, that’s how brutal that game can be. But it’s also hosted FIFA Women’s Football World Cup games, so is a wonderful surface to play running, fast footy on.
Brisbane can be warm and humid, even in July, but you might also see some thundery rain around so take a waterproof, even if you spend the rest of the time in shorts and tee shirts.
For the afterparty, stroll down Caxton Street; it’ll be rugby central and is right by the venue. I was there for the Rugby Championship match v the Boks and it was a sea of green. I might have been in Cape Town, such was the support!
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7.45 pm AEST, 10:45 am BST
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Match 4: July 5: British and Irish Lions vs New South Wales Waratahs, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
A brand spanking new stadium right next door to the historic and wonderful Sydney Cricket Ground, the place where I made my home debut for Australia. It replaces the old iconic Sydney Football Stadium and often holds rock concerts – both Elton John and Bruno Mars have played there recently.
Obviously, it’s pretty close to Paddington so a short walk from wonderful nightlife. Check out the Light Brigade, a favoured watering hole during the Rugby Championship, and also The Oaks Hotel, both cracking venues to celebrate a win or to console a loss. Worth checking out the Aussie Disney (Fox) Studios, but that facility has moved from next to the SCG to Moore Park, a bus or cab ride away. And I cannot recommend a trip around the Cricket Ground highly enough – it’s the place of Bradman, Bodyline and Ashes series galore, a real must do for all sports fans.
The Stadium is perfect for rugby, but as it’s multi use, there’s a fair in-goal area and sizable perimeter, but it’s almost impossible not to get a great view down to the pitch – truly a state of the art venue.
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7.45 pm AEST, 10:45 am BST
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Match 5: July 9: ACT Brumbies v British and Irish Lions: GIO Stadium, Canberra
This is where it might get chilly! Canberra is in a land mass so doesn’t get the warmth of the ocean and with a wind it can be bloody freezing at night time so take a fleece and some warm clothing.
The GIO is lovely though, despite being very open if it rains, which it often does! It’s on the smaller side with a 25k capacity, but able to host AFL and Rugby League. It used to have a running track which has since been removed to make the ground suitable for Aussie Rules, so again expect a big playing surface with in-goal areas that can be exploited by clever kick plays.
The Private Bin in the city is the place to be for the pre and post-match. A wonderful venue – when ACT played it was always the favoured destination for the players and Canberra is relatively small compared to other Aussie cities, so everything is in touching distance.
If you want to learn about the Aussie sporting landscape, the Australian Institute of Sport is really worth a visit. You can book a tour there well in advance and some of the advances in sport science are often exhibited there. I cannot recommend it highly enough if the history of our sporting culture interests you.
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 7.45 pm AEST, 10:45 am BST
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
There’s the first five match venues previewed for you. I’ll be back on Wednesday with the other Test and midweek game venues and I’ll be contributing to Planet Rugby as always throughout what promises to be a tremendous Lions series.