Footy expert says code’s biggest showpiece is now only for ‘private school old boys and lawyers’
Despite battling enormous financial, structural and performance issues in recent years, Rugby Australia has been accused of stopping working-class fans from going to Wallabies matches by hiking ticket prices so much that only rich Aussies can afford them.
The British and Irish Lions will tour Australia in 2025, playing nine matches from June 28 to August 2, including three Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19, Melbourne on July 26 and Sydney on August 2.
This marks their first Australian tour since 2013, when they secured a 2–1 series victory – their first in 16 years.
Rugby Australia has faced significant challenges in recent years.
In 2019, star player Israel Folau’s contract was terminated due to controversial social media posts, leading to a high-profile legal dispute.
Financially, Rugby Australia reported a substantial deficit of $36.8million in 2024, attributed to costly integration efforts and team support, including the disbanding of the Melbourne Rebels.
The last time the British and Irish Lions toured Australia was in 2013 (pictured), making their games down under a highly sought-after event on the rugby calendar
British and Irish Lions star Jamie Roberts celebrates with the trophy after beating Australia in their last meeting in 2013
The organisation secured an $80million loan facility to manage debts, with plans to repay it by 2026.
Additionally, the Super Rugby competition has faced criticism for declining performance and engagement following the exit of the South African, Japanese and Argentinian sides.
It also comes after the Wallabies infamously crashed out of the last Rugby World Cup in the group stage for the first time in history.
Despite the battering the sport’s reputation has taken, it has not stopped organisers from jacking up the prices for the upcoming Lions tour.
The issue was discussed on the Off The Record podcast featuring senior News Corp journalists Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield and Andrew Webster.
Rothfield fumed that the sport had slammed the door shut on working-class fans that had helped lift the code up from its knees.
The Wallabies crashed out of the last World Cup in the group stage (pictured) as the sport hit its lowest ebb in Australia
The reduction of Super Rugby claimed the Melbourne Rebels, with the struggling club being wound up by Rugby Australia
‘I do not take back from the fact that real people, when I say real people, working class people, cannot afford, in a cost-of-living crisis, to go and watch what is traditionally just a wonderful event that happens every 12 years,’ he said.
‘I’m happy for all the private school old boys, lawyers and you know, investors, I’m not going to keep banging on in the suburbs they live in.
‘But it is out of the reach of average wage people.’
Despite the high prices, tickets for the marquee event were purchased quickly.
At the time of writing, the only tickets left for the first Test at Suncorp Stadium will set you back $479.
If you are willing to sit in the nosebleed seats at the MCG, a limited number of $99 tickets are still on offer.
And you won’t find anything cheaper than $149 for the final Test at Accor Stadium – and that only gets you to the very last seats at the top of the grandstands.
For those wanting to see the British Lions play warm-up matches against provincial sides, there were tickets available for clashes against the Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs for as low as $39, but they were mostly snapped up quickly.
Andrew Kellaway of the Wallabies, former Wallaby Matt Burke and Angus Bell of the Wallabies at a promotional event for the series
Now the only tickets available to see the Lions play a warm-up match against the Reds in Queensland are $249 each.
There are a limited number of bronze tickets available for the clash against the ACT at GIO Stadium for $59, but those seats have the poorest visibility.
Those wanting to catch a glimpse of the Lions in action will have their best chance in the warm-up against the Waratahs, with the extra capacity of Accor Stadium meaning bronze tickets costing $89 are still available.
Alternatively, you can watch the match at Allianz Stadium on a screen for a whopping $450 including a hospitality package.
The British & Irish Lions will also play against an AUNZ Invitational XV at Adelaide Oval with tickets available from $49.
It is not just Australians being locked out either. Even cashed-up Brits are being denied the chance at witnessing history because of the eye-watering prices.
One pointed out over a third of Accor Stadium alone had been blocked off for corporate and members ticket holders.
‘I was looking at the trips to go on the British Lions tour of Australia … it’s amazing how expensive it is! Over £14k for 3 matches!’ they posted.
‘The other shocker is the seating categorisation. Are that many corporate tickets really needed?’
