By ANNA USHER

Get ready footy fans, some of the world’s most legendary Rugby players are on their way to North Sydney Oval.

The rivalry between the Classic Wallabies and British & Irish Rugby Legends will reignite in July, with an expanded two-match series set to captivate locals during the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia.

Building on the success of a sold-out 2013 encounter at North Sydney, 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, there will be a dedicated Fan Zone in St Leonards Park with food trucks, bars, stage entertainment and activations promising an epic night of entertainment.

“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.”

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.

Details:

Date: Thursday 31 July
Time: Kick-off at 7:00pm. Gates open at 5:30pm.
Venue: North Sydney Oval, Miller St, North Sydney
Tickets: Available through Ticketek

About Classic Wallabies

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.

About British & Irish Rugby Legends

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.