World Tour Sevens Reborn, Reimagined as HSBC SVNS – goffrugbyreport.com

World Rugby is relaunching and renaming the international 7s circuit as HSBC SVNS, with a smaller season and revamped calendar.

In announcing the new schedule today, World Rugby touted the new scheme, HSBC SVNS, as “set to boost rugby’s global appeal as the ultimate festival of immersive experiences.”

Launching in December 2023, eight HSBC SVNS festivals will comprise the 2023-24 international season, with all eight events featuring 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams sharing a global stage at the same venue.

HBSC SVNS – Festival Dates

Dubai, UAE – December 2-3, 2023
Cape Town, South Africa – December 9 and 10, 2023
Perth, Australia – January 26-28, 2024
Vancouver, Canada – February 23-25, 2024
Los Angeles, USA – March 2-3, 2024
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China – April 5-7, 2024
Singapore, Singapore – May 3-5, 2024
Madrid, Spain – May 31-June 2, 2024

HSBC re-engages as lead partner for the revamped series as rugby’s Olympic format targets new markets such as Perth and Madrid. During a 12-year partnership, HSBC has been integral to the growth of the sport by championing the women’s game, putting more than 558,962 people into grassroots programs and helping drive expansion into new markets.

The HSBC SVNS brand is designed to appeal to a younger fan base seeking sports, entertainment and cultural experiences. The locals are important too, as iconic destination cities are part of the season.

Gone are some of the country venues where rugby is immersed in major competitions during that time. The only Tier 1 rugby city it will host will be Cape Town, and while Australia is a Tier 1 nation, Perth is not the center of Australia’s rugby universe, most likely Sydney or Brisbane. Notable, New Zealand, England and France are no longer hosts.

“We are excited to launch HSBC SVNS, the supercharged new identity for our Olympic format, with iconic destinations and a new concept on and off the pitch, expanding the reach and appeal of the sport beyond its traditional audiences,” said the head of World Rugby. Executive Alan Gilpin: “Our ambition is for SVNS to be at the forefront of our growth strategy, attracting a younger, entertainment-hungry audience. Across eight iconic destinations played over seven months, we will bring together a truly immersive festival of rugby, music, food and experiences to create the best youth gathering weekend, the most attractive ticket and open a new era for the sport.

“For the first time in rugby sevens history, all locations will be unified under the same approach, meaning the overall experience is the same and we can optimize business revenue for reinvestment, including playing our part in ensuring that Sevens is a viable professional career. for talented players and Olympians.

“We are delighted to extend our longstanding and impressive title partnership with HSBC. They share our passion for growing the sport into new nations and communities and have played an instrumental role in advancing the reach and success of the sport, particularly at the community game level. We are excited about the opportunity in front of us to work with HSBC to take SVNS to the next level.”