The 1888 Cup is a men's rugby union trophy contested ahead of each quadrennial British & Irish Lions tour. First played for in a 2021 warm-up fixture for the British & Irish Lions' tour of South Africa, the trophy is challenged for between the Lions and a nation outside the traditional touring trio of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The trophy is named after the year (1888) of the first British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand. The trophy was designed and crafted by Thomas Lyte, a renowned British silversmith and goldsmith and royal warrant holder to King Charles III.
As of 2025 the holders are Argentina, whom defeated the British & Irish Lions 24–28 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in June 2025.
Results No. Tour Date Venue Opponent Score Winner Attendance 1 South Africa 26 June 2021 Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (Scotland) 28–10 British & Irish Lions 16,500 2 Australia 20 June 2025 Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Ireland) 24–28 51,700
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