IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has been named the Official Hotel Partner for the highly anticipated Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia, one of the most sought-after sporting events of 2025.

This esteemed partnership further strengthens IHG’s 20-year collaboration with Rugby Australia and highlights the brand’s ongoing efforts to team up with exceptional partners to offer unparalleled experiences and exclusive access to its 145+ million IHG One Rewards members.

The British & Irish Lions return to Australia this June after a 12-year hiatus, with six Tour matches, including three Test matches against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

As an Official Partner, IHG will have a prominent presence both on and off the field, featuring activations in the Lions Den and Wallabies fan zones in the three host cities, as well as IHG Hotels & Resorts’ branding on the Wallabies’ match shorts.

Matt Tripolone, Managing Director, Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “The Lions Tour is renowned for transcending borders to unite nations in celebration of sporting history, excellence, and performance. The buzz is already palpable, and we are incredibly proud to be chosen as the Official Hotel Partner, providing a welcoming home base for teams and fans alike, while being able to connect our IHG One Rewards members with unmissable experiences.”

Ben Calveley, CEO of The British & Irish Lions, said: “A Lions Tour places many demands on players and staff, so making sure we have a home away from home, thanks to our partners at IHG, is crucial. With record-breaking numbers of Lions fans already travelling in 2025, we also know that our loyal supporters will find many comforts across IHG’s portfolio.

“Everyone at The British & Irish Lions is also committed to taking pride in all the places we visit as we look to have a positive impact on the communities that we will visit in Australia. And I’m pleased to say that this is also an ethos shared with IHG and Rugby Australia.”

Phil Waugh, CEO of Rugby Australia, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to extend Rugby Australia’s long-standing partnership with IHG into this year’s highly anticipated British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia. IHG hotels provide a perfect home away from home for our teams in gold, allowing them to focus fully on their preparation and challenges on the field.”

Ahead of the Tour and throughout the June-August matches, IHG One Rewards loyalty members will enjoy exclusive access to a range of exciting benefits, including once-in-a-lifetime packages on the IHG One Rewards Access platform, social media giveaways, and on-property activations.

This partnership enhances IHG’s renowned reputation for supporting elite sports teams, including its long-standing role as Official Partner of the Wallabies and the first-ever Official Hotel Partner of Six Nations Rugby. Furthermore, IHG’s commitment to sustainability through its Journey to Tomorrow initiative aligns with the Lions Tour’s values, with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, a local charity, named as the Global Charity Partner. This connection is particularly meaningful for IHG, as the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most iconic private island resorts.

The Tour is expected to draw over 40,000 international visitors, along with numerous fans from across Australia. With more than 50 hotels across the country and over 6,500 properties globally, IHG will host rugby enthusiasts at its diverse range of brands, including InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn, and more.

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