SKY SPORTS ANNOUNCE POP-UP CHANNEL FOR THE LIONS TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA

Sky Sports to show all eight matches of The Lions Tour of South Africa live and launch dedicated pop-up channel on 17th July to 10th August.

‘Sky Sports The Lions’: 24 days of non-stop coverage for the British & Irish Lions Test matches against South Africa. Including exclusive live coverage, highlights, documentaries, and archive footage

Rugby fans will be able to watch a total of eight live games from the tour, kicking off with the first warm-up game against the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on 3rd July.

On the 2nd of July, Sky Sports and NOW viewers will be able to see the Lions’ opposition in action as South Africa take on Georgia in a warm-up game for the hosts.

Replacing Sky Sports Action from Saturday 17th July until 10th August, the new pop-up channel will be the place to take in the final warm-up game for the Lions against DHL Stormers before the three Test matches get underway. Rugby fans will of course be able to watch the preceding four warm-up games in South Africa live on Sky Sports Action until the pop-up channel launches on 17th July.

There will be a star-studded line-up to guide viewers throughout the tour. Host Alex Payne will be joined by legends of the game including former Lions and Wales captain Sam Warburton, Ireland’s leading points-scorer Ronan O’Gara as well as England’s World Cup winners Will Greenwood and Maggie Alphonsi. Four-time Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan and Nigel Owens – the highest capped referee of all time – will also add their expert insight and analysis from the studio, Reporter Sarra Elgan will be on the ground in South Africa with former South Africa winger Bryan Habana. Conor McNamara will provide the commentary for every match of the Tour to complete the Sky Sports line-up.

Sky Sports Managing Director, Jonathan Licht said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the British & Irish Lions to bring our viewers a seventh consecutive Lions tour – a partnership that has now entered its 25th year – and we’re looking forward to seeing some thrilling rugby played in South Africa against the current World Champions. With fans unable to cheer on the Lions in person, we’re pleased to be able to bring the best of the action to the Sea of Red back home.”