The highly anticipated rivalry between the Classic Wallabies and British & Irish Rugby Legends will reignite this July, with an expanded two-match series set to captivate rugby fans during the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia.
Building on the success of the sold-out 2013 encounter at North Sydney Oval, the 2025 Legends Series will feature a match in Melbourne on Thursday, July 24, plus a return to the iconic North Sydney Oval on Thursday, July 31.
"The last time we hosted the British & Irish Legends in 2013, we witnessed 12,000 passionate fans pack North Sydney Oval for an unforgettable night of rugby," said Morgan Turinui, General Manager of Classic Wallabies. "In 2025, we're raising the bar with an expanded series that gives more Australian fans and the estimated 30,000 traveling Lions supporters the chance to see rugby greats back in action."
The Legends Series will feature some of the biggest names in Australian, British and Irish rugby across recent generations. The Classic Wallabies squad includes former Wallabies stalwarts George Smith (111 caps), Matt Giteau (103 caps), and Adam Ashley-Cooper (121 caps), while the British & Irish Legends will showcase stars such as Mike Tindall, Shane Byrne, Alex Cuthbert, Dan Biggar, Sean Lamont, Leigh Halfpenny and Shane Williams.
Beyond the on-field action, an extensive program of community activities and corporate events sharing the spirit of rugby will run throughout July. Details of which will be announced over the coming weeks.
"This series represents more than just exhibition matches," added Turinui. "It's about celebrating the rich history of rugby between the four home unions and Australia, creating once-in-12-years experiences for fans and corporate partners, whilst raising significant funds for grassroots rugby development across Australia."
Andy Lee, MD, Sportingclass who are bringing the British & Irish Legends team to Australia said, “many of our players have already reached the pinnacle of their sport, but see this as a way of giving a little bit back, whilst enjoying an old school tour, having fun with their old team mates and rivals.
The 2025 Legends Series aims to engage more than 50,000 participants through matches and events, while targeting $250,000 in fundraising for the The Atlas Foundation international children’s charity and the Australian Rugby Foundation in support of developing grassroots rugby programs nationwide.
Jason Leonard OBE (Lion #644,119 caps for England and the Lions) - who will be supporting the British & Irish Legends squad in an ambassador role - said “Legends games bring out the very best of our sport, rekindling old adversaries and reigniting lifelong friendships. The Legends Series in Australia in 2025 will be the pinnacle of these and we are delighted that we will be raising funds for a number of charities that are very close to my heart.”
Tickets will be on-sale for the Sydney match from Thursday 3rd April, with Melbourne on-sale shortly after. Pre-sale registration is available through the website: legendsseries2025.rugby.
Corporate partnership opportunities are now available across multiple tiers, offering businesses the chance to align with this prestigious series of matches and events.
Date: Thursday 24 July 2025
Details: Register your interest legendsseries2025.rugby for more information
Date: Thursday 31 July 2025
Time: Classic Wallabies v British & Irish Legends kick-off at 7:00pm. Gates open at 5:30pm.
Venue: North Sydney Oval, Miller St, North Sydney
Tickets: Available to the public through Ticketek from 12:00pm Thursday 3rd April.
Group and corporate hospitality package information will be announced soon. Register your interest at legendsseries2025.rugby for more information
Details subject to change.
For media inquiries and partnership opportunities:
Australia
Morgan Turinui, Classic Wallabies
morgan@classicwallabies.com.au
UK & Ireland
Chris Butterworth, Sportingclass
chrisb@sportingclass.com
The Classic Wallabies are the alumni of all male and female Australian rugby union players who have retired from the game, having represented Australia internationally in either 15's, 10's, or 7's formats. With over 500 living retired players, Classic Wallabies focus on developing rugby at the grassroots level across Australia, particularly in rural and regional communities. Since 2018, Classic Wallabies initiatives have reached over 5.3 million people, engaged more than 10,000 children in rugby clinics, and visited over 300 schools nationwide.
The British & Irish Rugby Legends bring together the unique blend of retired players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales who have represented their countries and, in many cases, the British & Irish Lions on past tours. The team continues the proud tradition of rugby ambassadorship while raising funds for charitable causes.
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