World Rugby has confirmed the schedule for the much-anticipated HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 as the sport looks to capitalise on a highly successful and impactful Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The 2022 Series will include 10 men’s and seven women’s rounds over six months; series to kick-off with a pair of combined men’s and women’s events in Dubai; three new hosts as Malaga and Seville in Spain, and Toulouse in France welcome teams; unique system introduced to mitigate the risk of some teams not being able to participate in all events and to determine Series rankings and decide relegation in 2022; Rugby sevens continues to grow following highly successful Olympics in Tokyo which generated more than 22 million video views and over 100 million social media impressions; exciting year ahead with the 2022 Series followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on 29-31 July and Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town on 9-11 September.
World Rugby has confirmed the schedule for the
much-anticipated HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 as the sport looks to
capitalise on a highly successful and impactful Olympic Games in Tokyo.
VIEW HSBC WORLD RUGBY SEVENS SERIES 2022 SCHEDULE
The 2022 Series will feature 10 men’s and seven women’s
rounds over six months, kicking off with a pair of combined men’s and women’s
events in Dubai. The Emirates Dubai Sevens will host a behind closed doors
round on 26-27 November, 2021, followed by a second event on 3-4 December with
fans in attendance at The Sevens Stadium.
The Series will then return to Europe as Spain plays host
for the first time with combined men’s and women’s events in Malaga and Seville
on 21-23 and 28-30 January, 2022 respectively. The new venues in Spain
temporarily replace traditional Series hosts Sydney, Australia, and Hamilton,
New Zealand, who were unable to host in 2022 due to the logistical challenges
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in their region.
The men’s Series continues with North American rounds in Vancouver on 26-27
February and Los Angeles on 5-6 March before moving to Asia where Hong Kong
returns to host a combined men’s and women’s event on 1-3 April, followed by a
men’s event in Singapore on 9-10 April. A women’s standalone event will take
place in Langford, Canada, on 30 April-1 May before both men’s and women’s
teams travel to a new Series venue in Toulouse, France, on 20-22 May where the
women’s Series champions will be crowned. The men’s Series concludes with the
final event in London on 28-29 May.
There are also changes with the competing teams. Japan join
the men’s Series as a core team following their promotion as HSBC World Rugby
Sevens Challenger Series champions in 2020.
Great Britain will compete in the opening two rounds of the
Series in Dubai, as part of the standing agreement to play the calendar year
2021, before reverting to compete as national unions for the remainder of the
2022 Series, with England, Scotland and Wales participating in the men’s Series
and England in the women’s series.
The 16 men’s core teams after the Dubai events are
Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New
Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, USA and Wales.
South Africa will enter the 2022 Series as defending
champions after claiming the 2021 title in Edmonton, Canada, in September,
while New Zealand, who were unable to compete in Canada, were the 2020 Series
winners.
The 11 core women’s teams after the Dubai events are
Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia,
Spain and USA. New Zealand’s Black Ferns Sevens will be aiming to defend their
title after being crowned champions in 2020.
Noting that Great Britain will compete in the opening two
rounds, a points system will be developed that promotes fairness for all
competing teams, including those who comprise Great Britain. This will also
recognise situations where teams may not be able to participate in any rounds
owing to COVID-19.
VIEW HSBC WORLD RUGBY SEVENS SERIES NEWS
Rugby sevens players and fans can look forward to a very
busy and exciting year in 2022 with the Series followed by the Commonwealth
Games in Birmingham on 29-31 July and concluding with Rugby World Cup Sevens in
Cape Town on 9-11 September.
Today’s announcement follows the sport’s highly successful
second Olympic appearance in Tokyo where Fiji’s men and New Zealand’s women
topped the podium in front of a huge global audience.
Many new fans are expected to follow the 2022 Series after
World Rugby’s Olympics-related social media content achieved huge impact with
more than 22 million video views achieving 102 million impressions and 3.4
million public engagements from 2,400 posts across five World Rugby platforms.
The Olympics were followed by back-to-back HSBC Canada Sevens events in Vancouver and Edmonton in September which saw South Africa win the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2021 title, while Great Britain were victorious in the women’s Fast Four events.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “Following an
outstandingly competitive and highly impactful Olympic Games competition it is
fantastic to announce a full schedule for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
2022 today.
“Alongside popular and traditional rugby sevens venues it
will be exciting to take the Series to new venues in Spain and France as the
game continues to expand and captivate new audiences around the world with its
fast, skilful and thrilling format. Rugby sevens is a key driver of global
growth for our sport, particularly in emerging nations, and it firmly remains a
top priority for our organisation.
“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure
we can announce a full Series schedule today and we thank HSBC, the host
organisations, unions, commercial and broadcast partners for their unwavering
support and spirit of collaboration as we navigate the challenges of the global
COVID-19 pandemic together.
“We now look ahead to the return of the HSBC World Rugby
Sevens Series at full throttle ahead of what promises to be a very busy and
exciting year for sevens with the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and Rugby
World Cup Sevens in Cape Town following the Series.
“As ever, the health and welfare of players, fans and wider
society continues to be our primary concern and we will work closely with all
stakeholders to ensure the safe delivery of the Series.”
HSBC Group Head of Brand and Brand Partnerships Jonathan
Castleman said: “Like everyone involved we are incredibly excited that the HSBC
World Rugby Sevens Series is back and this is truly a testament to all of the
hard work that has gone on behind the scenes.
“With new venues in both Spain and France, it opens up
further opportunities to attract even more players, fans and communities to the
spectacle of rugby sevens and as the long-term partner of the HSBC World Rugby
Sevens Series we cannot wait to watch the teams competing at the highest levels
again and where possible with full stadiums.”