The Lions have helped Rugby Australia (RA) turn around their financial fortunes with a record $70.6 million surplus for 2025.<\/p>\n
RA also have a cash reserve of $31.4 million after it paid off a $60m loan in August 12 months early as total revenue for the year hit the $262m mark, its annual report says.<\/p>\n
Click here to read the report in full.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis record operating surplus allows us to look ahead to the future with clarity and confidence,\u201d RA chief executive officer Phil Waugh says.<\/p>\n The figure is almost double their previous record, set from hosting the 2003 World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made great progress in ensuring the proceeds of our major events, including last year\u2019s British & Irish Lions tour, will set up our game to thrive long-term,\u201d Waugh says.<\/p>\n The Lions tour Australia once every 12 years and were accompanied by up to 40,000 fans which delivered an economic boost for host states including non-rugby ones.<\/p>\n The report says 373,168 fans attended all seven of the Wallabies home Tests last year at an average of 53,308 people per game, a record for a non-home Rugby World Cup season.<\/p>\n