World Rugby announces plans for ‘condensed’ Sevens Series
World Rugby has unveiled plans for a condensed edition of its World Sevens Series, with the first men’s events to take place after the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The schedule includes five women’s and four men’s rounds, with the potential for two further men’s events. Hong Kong, Dubai and the South African city of Cape Town to host joint men’s and women’s events.
World Rugby has planned a more “compact” series this year given the ongoing difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to accommodate the Olympics.
The series starts with back-to-back women’s events in France on 15th/16th and 22nd/23rd May. The series will then return after the Olympics with a men’s event in Singapore on 29th/30th October, with joint men’s and women’s rounds to follow in Hong Kong from 5th to 7th November, Dubai on 3rd/4th December and Cape Town from 10th to 12th December.
Discussions are ongoing regarding other possible men’s events in in between the Olympics and the Singapore event, with World Rugby to provide further updates to the schedule when they are available.
No Sevens Series games have been played since last March due to COVID-19, with World Rugby cancelling the 2019/20 campaign with four men’s events and three women’s events still to play. New Zealand are the reigning champions of both series.
This year, Japan will join as a core team in the men’s series while the England, Scotland and Wales teams will compete as GB Sevens in both series due to it being an Olympic year. As a result, two additional invitational places for the men’s events will be offered.
World Rugby is investing US$4 million into Olympic-qualified unions’ sevens programs and towards the costs of hosting high-performance preparation events ahead of Tokyo 2020. The first of these events took place in Madrid on 20th/21st and 27th/28th February with another planned for the USA in June.
Announcing the schedule, World Rugby interim Chief Executive Alan Gilpin stated “as a key driver of game growth, particularly in emerging markets, the continued success of rugby sevens and the Sevens Series is a strategic priority for World Rugby and our $4 million funding to support sevens programmes is a clear demonstration of our commitment.
“This unique Olympic year provides a huge opportunity to reach new audiences around the world and introduce them to the speed, skill and excitement of rugby sevens, encouraging them to become future fans of the Series.
“Above all, the health, safety and wellbeing of players, fans and the wider community remains our top priority and all stakeholders will continue to closely monitor global developments with the COVID-19 pandemic and work closely with host governments and health agencies to ensure a safe, secure and highly impactful return to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.”
If teams are unable to travel or participate in all events this year, World Rugby will, where possible, invite replacement teams to fill the places of any core team.
Image: World Sevens Series action at the Singapore Sports Hub.
Related Articles
3rd March 2021 - World Rugby recommends 2021 Women’s World Cup be delayed for a year
2nd March 2021 - ASM Global announce general manager - commercial appointment for Hong Kong Kai Tak Sports Park project
13th February 2021 - Singapore sets sustainable targets for next 10 years
3rd February 2021 - Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Playbook rules aim to safeguard against Coronavirus
29th January 2021 - SANZAAR announce new Chief Executive and Chairman
29th January 2021 - Organisers aim for New Zealand’s women’s Rugby World Cup to set match attendance records
23rd January 2021 - IOC insists Tokyo Olympics will not be cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic
6th January 2021 - Singapore Sports Hub looks to stage more live events in 2021
8th December 2020 - ‘Hybrid’ 2020 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2020 welcomes 12,000 participants
9th November 2020 - Report shows global rise in rugby interest through 2019
16th October 2020 - South Africa withdraws from Rugby Championship citing Coronavirus travel restrictions and player safety concerns
11th October 2020 - World Rugby’s updated transgender guidelines ban transwomen playing at elite level
1st October 2020 - Global sports survey shows impact of COVID-19 pandemic
30th September 2020 - South African teams to exit Super Rugby to play in Europe
6th August 2020 - World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year
5th August 2020 - Phil Kearns appointed Executive Director of Australia’s Rugby World Cup 2027 bid
30th June 2020 - World Rugby cancels remainder of Sevens season
14th June 2020 - Fans return to Super Rugby in New Zealand
8th May 2020 - World Rugby releases guidelines for top level matches to be held in closed stadiums
17th April 2020 - World Rugby announces US$100 million global relief package
2nd January 2020 - Singapore Sports Hub offers new ticketing options
5th April 2019 - World Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong looks to sustainability in 44th year of competition
14th March 2019 - Hamilton gets extended run with World Rugby Sevens Series event
4th July 2018 - Singapore Rugby Sevens delivers successful fan experiences for families
15th November 2017 - Hong Kong Rugby Sevens assures fans that tickets are safe to purchase through Viagogo
11th April 2017 - Hong Kong Sevens continues as the pinnacle of the Sevens World Series
