The British & Irish Lions rugby union touring team has announced a new kit deal with US sportswear giant Nike.
Under the agreement, the brand will become the official kit supplier of the Lions, providing the exclusive kit for the inaugural Lions Women’s Team in 2027, and a principal partner of next year’s British & Irish Lions Women’s Series.
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Nike will provide all performance, training, and leisure apparel for the Lions Women’s squad and official touring party during the 2027 tour to New Zealand.
The brand will also create lifestyle and training collections that will be made available for supporters later this year.
The red Lions shirts are among the most distinctive in rugby and generate huge replica sales ahead of and during every tour.
The previous kit supplier for the British & Irish Lions was prominent rugby brand Canterbury.
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By GlobalDataAs well as last year’s tour, Canterbury supplied the team’s kits for the 2017 series in New Zealand and the 2021 edition in South Africa.
The brand had replaced Adidas, a partner of the Lions for 18 years, for the 2017 tour.
The new deal reunites Nike with The British & Irish Lions after it last partnered with the team for the 1993 men’s tour to New Zealand.
In addition, the sportswear heavyweight will also become a principal partner of the Lions Origins Clubs and Schools grassroots programme.
The inaugural women’s team will feature Royal London as its front-of-shirt partner, while insurance company Howden will sponsor the tour, having been the main sponsor for the men’s tour to Australia in 2025.
Ben Calveley, CEO of The British & Irish Lions, said: “We are delighted to confirm this milestone partnership with Nike as we prepare for the inaugural British & Irish Lions Women’s Series to New Zealand in 2027.
“The creation of the first ever Lions Women’s jersey represents a hugely significant moment in our history.”
