Cape Town retained as host city of rebranded sevens festival series
Cape Town has been retained as one of the eight iconic destinations that comprise SVNS, World Rugby’s revamped and rebranded sevens series. Launching in December 2023, SVNS tournaments will provide an annual platform for the world’s best sevens athletes to shine with 12 men’s and women’s teams sharing a global stage at the same location. […]
Cape Town has been retained as one of the eight iconic destinations that comprise SVNS, World Rugby’s revamped and rebranded sevens series.
Launching in December 2023, SVNS tournaments will provide an annual platform for the world’s best sevens athletes to shine with 12 men’s and women’s teams sharing a global stage at the same location.
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The new sevens series aims to supercharge rugby’s growth and appeal by providing immersive experiences and turning the events into ultimate festivals.
HSBC SVNS will take place across eight iconic cities, aligning all locations for the first time. The brand identity reflects summer vibes; attracting a younger, leisure-hungry audience. The annual sevens series will be the go-to destination for people seeking a great time, combining sport, entertainment, and culture against stunning backdrops.
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The event dates and venues for the festivals have been set, starting in Dubai in December and concluding with the grand final in Madrid in June 2024.
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SEVENS SERIES FESTIVAL DATES
- Dubai, UAE – 2-3 December, 2023
- Cape Town, South Africa – 9-10 December, 2023
- Perth, Australia – 26-28 January, 2024
- Vancouver, Canada – 23-25 February, 2024
- Los Angeles, USA – 2-3 March, 2024
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China – 5-7 April 2024
- Singapore, Singapore – 3-5 May 2024
- Madrid, Spain – 31 May-2 June, 2024
HOW THE COMPETITION FORMAT WILL WORK
Cape Town has been retained as a host on the re-imagined series, with 620,000 supporters attending the past six tournaments in the Mother City, making it one of the best-attended live events in South Africa.
Following consultation with players, fans, broadcasters and unions, the sevens competition format has been revamped to deliver more excitement and jeopardy.
The top eight placed teams, based on cumulative series points at the conclusion of the penultimate sevens tournament in Singapore, will secure their opportunity to compete in the new ‘winner takes all’ Grand Final in Madrid, where the women’s and men’s champions will be crowned.
All seven rounds and the Grand Final will feature combined men’s and women’s sevens competitions and equal participation fees.
HSBC SVNS is also committed to gender parity, featuring combined men’s and women’s sevens competitions across all seven rounds and the grand final. World Rugby has increased its investment in participation fees by 70%, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable growth.
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WHO SAID WHAT ABOUT NEW-LOOK SERIES
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin expressed his excitement about revamped sevens campaign and its potential to broaden the sport’s reach and appeal.
“We are excited to be launching HSBC SVNS, the supercharged new identity for our Olympic format, with iconic destinations and a new concept on and off the field, broadening the reach and appeal of the sport beyond its traditional audiences,” he said.
“Our ambition is for SVNS to be at the forefront of our growth strategy, appealing to a younger, leisure-hungry audience. In eight iconic destinations played over seven months, we will bring together a truly immersive festival of rugby, music, food and experiences to create the ultimate weekend-long get-together for young people, the hottest ticket and open a new era for the sport.
“For the first time in rugby sevens history, all locations will be centrally run, 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.”
The HSBC SVNS sevens series aims to attract a younger audience by creating an immersive festival that combines rugby, music, food, and experiences. The centrally-run locations allow for a consistent experience and optimize commercial revenue for reinvestment.
HSBC continues its support of rugby sevens as the title partner of sevens in a new four-year deal. The company’s CEO, Noel Quinn, expresses pride in the opportunities created through their partnership with World Rugby, including expanding sevens into new markets and supporting the growth of women’s rugby.
“Through many years of working closely with World Rugby to showcase and support the sport worldwide, HSBC has become synonymous with the World Rugby Sevens.
“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.
“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.”