The first British and Irish Lions Women's Series will take place in September 2027 in New Zealand, the home of six-time rugby world champions.
"It is excellent to have another women's sporting event added to our major events calendar following the success of last year's Fifa Women's World Cup and the rugby and cricket world cups in 2022," New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Major Events Manager Kylie Hawker-Green said on Wednesday.
Major events like this offer significant economic, social and cultural benefits to New Zealand through international visitation, increased spending in the regions, and creating new role models for young New Zealanders, Hawker-Green said.
New Zealand Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop said recent women's world cups showed that Kiwis love a chance to see world-class teams competing up close in their backyard.
"This is going to be a historic moment for rugby, and I can't wait to see the very first women's Lions team take on our world champion Black Ferns," Bishop said, adding the government has earmarked 3.9 million NZ dollars (2.39 million U.S. dollars) from the Major Events Fund to support the series.
The first ever men's British and Irish Lions Tour was held in 1888 in New Zealand, and the tour takes place every four years.
The bid by New Zealand Rugby and supported by the government beat competitive interest by France and the United States for the hosting rights, Hawker-Green said, adding the British and Irish Lions have a legendary legion of fans who are anticipated to follow the first-ever women's team to New Zealand for this historic tour.
British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley said this is a historic milestone in its 136-year history.
The women's series in September 2027 will not clash with the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup.