Royal London
Royal London is the Founding Partner and Front of Jersey Sponsor for the first ever Lions Women's team which will Tour New Zealand in 2027.
Royal London will also oversee player and coach development through an elite players’ and coaches Pathways Funding grant which will support the elite women’s player and coach pathways in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England.
A feasibility study funded by Royal London investigated all key aspects of creating a Lions Women’s Tour with a consultation process exploring brand, commercial, financial, spectator, logistical, and scheduling considerations. After a three-part process with positive findings, including that the Tour was projected to be commercially sustainable for all stakeholders, the Lions Women Inaugural 2027 tour was announced. The feasibility study also concluded that the optimum time for the Tour is 2027 and it was then followed by a Tour host selection process with New Zealand emerging as the preferred Tour destination.
Howden
Howden were the official men’s front of jersey sponsor and we’ll be helping make history as the first-ever Series Title Partner for the Howden Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027. As one of rugby’s biggest supporters, Howden are championing teams from the grassroots to the elite level in both the men’s and women’s game.
Nike
Nike are 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 the Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series 2027. 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. Lifestyle and training collections for supporters will be made available in 2026, giving fans an opportunity to show their support for this historic moment for women’s rugby. Nike last partnered with The British & Irish Lions for the 1993 Lions Men’s Tour to New Zealand. Nike will also become a principal partner of the Lions Origins Clubs and Schools programme, alongside Howden, in supporting the development of grassroots rugby across the UK and Ireland. Lions Origins Clubs and Schools have played a vital role in shaping future Lions by guiding young athletes throughout their rugby journeys.