Hong Kong Sevens to return as part of revamped circuit, as rugby bosses target younger audience with partying in mind
- World Rugby launches new HSBC SVNS circuit with stops in eight destination cities, including Dubai, Cape Town, Los Angeles and Hong Kong
- A new format with fewer teams and a ‘winner takes all’ grand final part of push to ‘supercharge’ sport’s global appeal
The Hong Kong Sevens will return in April as part of World Rugby’s re-branded vision of the sport, which it hopes will “supercharge the game’s global reach”.
Remaining in its traditional spot on the first weekend of April, next year’s tournament will be the sixth stop on the new HSBC SVNS circuit, which starts in Dubai in December.
A revamped competition will see 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams compete in seven cities, with stops in Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver and Los Angeles between the UAE and Hong Kong events.
The top eight-placed teams at the conclusion of Singapore SVNS in May, the seventh leg of the series, will secure their opportunity to compete in the new ‘winner takes all’ grand final in Madrid.
There will be plenty on the line in the Spanish city for the bottom teams, with those ranked ninth to 12th joining the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in a battle to secure promotion to the circuit for the following season.
All eight cities have been chosen because of their popularity as destinations, with rugby bosses hoping to create “a unique festival of sport, entertainment and culture set against stunning backdrops” on each occasion.
“Hong Kong has played a key role in bringing the game of rugby Sevens to the world, and with the city’s unique blend of “east-meets-west” sitting in the heart of Asia and on the doorstep of the exciting potential of the Chinese mainland market, it is perfectly placed to contribute to the success of the new HSBC SVNS,” Robbie McRobbie, the Hong Kong Rugby Union CEO, said.
World Rugby’s CEO Alan Gilpin, said the new approach was designed to appeal to a “younger, leisure-hungry audience”, with all eight tournaments designed to an “immersive festival of rugby, music, food and experiences”.
“For the first time in rugby Sevens history, all locations will be unified under the same approach, meaning that the overall experience is the same and we can optimise commercial revenue for reinvestment, including playing our part in ensuring that Sevens is a viable career path for the talented players and Olympians,” he said.
Despite the revamp, HSBC has continued its partnership with World Rugby, and the bank’s group CEO, Noel Quinn, said his organisation was synonymous with the sport and growing the game.
“I’m particularly proud of the new opportunities that we have helped to open up by taking the sport into new markets, supporting the growth of the women’s game and giving tens of thousands of young people the chance to try rugby for the first time,” Quinn said.
“I’m delighted that our hugely successful partnership with World Rugby will continue for years to come, and that HSBC will be able to help the sport reach even greater heights.”
HBSC SVNS – Festival dates
Dubai – December 2-3, 2023
Cape Town – December 9-10
Perth – January 26-28, 2024
Vancouver – February 23-25
Los Angeles – March 2-3
Hong Kong – April 5-7
Singapore –May 3-5
Madrid – May 31-June 2
