It's coined the unofficial 'fourth test” and the Bay of Plenty will be right in the thick of it come 2017.

Rotorua International Stadium will host the New Zealand Maori versus the British and Irish Lions.

The British and Irish Lions will return to Rotorua International Stadium on June 17, 20127. Photo: Facebook.

New Zealand Rugby today unveiled the 10 match series against the Lions, touring New Zealand for the first time since 2005, with eight cities confirmed to host the matches following an open tender process.

Along with three tests against the All Blacks, the side comprising of players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will face a provincial union team, each of the Super Rugby franchises and the NZ Maori.

The latter taking on the European giants on June 17, 2017 in the Bay of Plenty, the fifth match of the tour.

Back in 2005 the Maori secured a 19-13 victory in front of a sell-out 30,000 crowd in Hamilton. It was the first time the NZ Maori side had beaten the Lions in seven matches dating back to 1930.

Earlier that year the Lions opened their 2005 tour account against the Bay of Plenty Steamers at Rotorua International Stadium, winning 34-20. Steamers' donning the jersey that day included Adrian Cashmore, Colin Bourke, Kevin Senio and captain Wayne Ormond.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers says this is an outstanding result for rugby in the Bay, in what is likely to be one of the most significant sporting events the country will host since 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Following the success of the 2005 Lions tour, the Rotorua community will once again have the opportunity to be involved, support and have access to top level rugby.

Rogers says this has been a major project for the union and securing such an important game on the tour demonstrates the confidence New Zealand Rugby has in the union to host an international fixture of this standard.

'This fixture brings fantastic benefits to our rugby stakeholders but also the wider Bay of Plenty community. The economic benefits will be significant and the game provides the opportunity for our rugby members and community to be involved in what will be a truly special experience.”

Rotorua Lakes councillor Charles Stuart, who leads the council's Sport and Recreation Portfolio, is thrilled that a collaborative effort by council staff and the rugby union has been successful in securing a key match for Rotorua on the tour.

'We all remember the hugely successful 2005 Lions tour when Rotorua International Stadium was a total sell-out, and we fully expect that to happen again for this match,” says Stuart.

'Securing a Saturday game will ensure fans from around New Zealand will descend on Rotorua in force. And being a mid-tour fixture means international Lions' supporter tour groups already in the country, will also come here meaning the match is virtually guaranteed to be a success.”

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew says British and Irish Lions Tour is one of those very special events for any rugby fan and everyone remembers how the 2005 Series captivated this country.

More than 20,000 Lions supporters travelled to New Zealand in 2005, generating more than $135m in benefits – figures Tew is confident will be exceeded come 2017.

'Over the last few years New Zealand has shown we can successfully host some of the biggest events in international sport and provide visitors with a unique and welcoming experience.

'As with 2005 we expect demand for tickets to be exceptionally high and we intend to be in a position to confirm ticketing arrangements later this year.”

British and Irish Lions chief executive John Feehan says there is a rich history between the Lions and New Zealand dating back to the very first tour in 1888.

This first tour helped establish the template for the Lions and it is exciting that 2017 will see the Lions return to New Zealand as part of the next chapter in this great story.

"The NZ Lions 2017 Series will see the best of the best from our four great rugby nations unite as one to play ten matches in New Zealand, a series that will once again be the highlight of the 2017 global sporting calendar.

"It's with great anticipation that we look forward to renewing our rivalries and more importantly our unique and great friendship with New Zealand."

While the exact schedule of dates and order of matches is still to be confirmed, the series will kick off with a game against a Provincial Union XV side in Whangarei and feature four midweek matches.

The tour is the twelfth by a combined British Isles side to New Zealand. The first was in 1888 and the most recent 10 years ago.

During that time, New Zealand has won 27 Tests to the Lions' 6, including a memorable 3-0 series victory in 2005.

The Lions only previous series victory in New Zealand was achieved in 1971 when a side coached by Welshman Carwyn James prevailed 2-1, with the final Test in Auckland drawn.