Wallabies resurgence sees British & Irish Lions tickets soar past 500,000 to create history
The Wallabies’ resurgence has fans coming back in droves ahead of next year’s British and Irish Lions tour games, with ticket sales hinting at the biggest Lions series of all time.
The Wallabies’ stunning resurgence has led to a surge of ticket sales that will see more than half a million people attend British & Irish Lions tour games next year, making it the biggest Lions series of all time.
When Australia was knocked out of the pool stages of the World Cup last year, many questioned whether the Lions should tour here at all, but after two rousing victories on their spring tour there is belief the Wallabies can challenge the might of the four nations.
Tickets for the three Test matches are in low supply, with Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium already sold out, the Melbourne Cricket ground expected to sell out by Tuesday, and Sydney’s Accor Stadium predicted to sell out by the end of the week.
A third and final release of tickets will happen next May, but that will only be for tickets that have been returned.
The three Test matches and tour games against Super Rugby and invitational sides will now draw unprecedented live crowds throughout Australia, with 40,000 overseas tourists expected to arrive for the event.
“We are delighted with how ticket sales for the British and Irish Lions tour are tracking, demand for all categories has been extremely high and outstripping tickets available,” a Rugby Australia spokesman said.
“We anticipate this will be the highest attended Lions tour of all time with more than 500,000 attending Test and tour matches around the country.
“A Lions tour of Australia is a once-in-12-year experience and Wallabies-Lions ranks among rugby’s most storied rivalries.”
Joe Schmidt’s team would create even bigger hype around the series should they complete their first Grand Slam in 40 years by defeating Scotland and Ireland, having already beaten England and Wales.
But Schmidt, who had Lions boss Andy Farrell as his assistant with Ireland before the latter took over, is wary of the task ahead next year.
“It’s just around galvanising the nation, really,” Schmidt said. “Obviously, I’m pretty good friends with ‘Faz’. We worked together for a while and I know him well, so that will be challenging because he’s a very good coach.
“On the playing perspective, I think for the players, outside of a World Cup, you just can’t be get bigger than the British and Irish Lions.
“I think it’s going to be a fantastic tour. We’ll keep building and I’m hoping it’s a really competitive series.”
Schmidt predicts Scotland will provide the Wallabies their sternest test of the tour next weekend.
“They put massive pressure on the breakdown, they’ve got a good loose forward trio, but also, I think their tight five have been going really well,” Schmidt said.
“And then when you get the ball to Finn Russell he’s a bit of a magician, and out wide Darcy Graham’s been going super for them.”
More Coverage
Rugby Australia closes in on new broadcast deal
Rugby Australia is close to signing a new broadcast deal, but a downgrade in New Zealand could severely impact their future earnings. It comes as some top Wallabies star consider overseas moves.
Wallabies’ warning for Lions as fit, firing stars return
The Wallabies showed they mean business against the British and Irish Lions this year, with players returning in peak condition for pre-season training. Find out who topped the lot, inside.