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Sky Sports Expected to Broadcast Inaugural Women's Lions Tour

The first women's British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2027 is expected to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, a move understood to be in advanced discussions.

  • The inaugural women's British & Irish Lions tour will feature five fixtures in New Zealand in September 2027.
  • Sky Sports is in advanced discussions to broadcast all five matches, including three Tests against the Black Ferns.
  • Sky has held live broadcast rights for the men's Lions tours since 1997.

The inaugural women's British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand next year is expected to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The broadcaster is understood to be in advanced discussions to add the women's series to its portfolio, having held live rights for men's Lions fixtures since the 1997 tour of South Africa.

The first women's Lions team is set to play three Tests against the Black Ferns and two tour matches in September next year. Sky is expected to broadcast all five of these fixtures.

This potential agreement follows disappointment expressed by Rugby Football Union officials regarding the BBC's limited coverage of the Red Roses' home Tests this month. The women's Lions were launched in 2024, with New Zealand confirmed as the destination for their first tour that same year. Jo Yapp, former England captain, was appointed as their first women's head coach this year.

Why this matters: The expected broadcast deal is seen as a significant boost for the women's game, providing wider exposure for the inaugural British & Irish Lions tour.

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