After the highly dramatic, record-setting contests of the Olympic Games, it is now time for rugby sevens fanatics to relish the start of the HSBC SVNS 2025 season which will commence with the Emirates Dubai 7s to be held on 30th November to 1st December.
With fans taken into a solid overdrive courtesy of the Olympics, millions who watched the Games can look forward to attending the first round of the new HSBC SVNS campaign in Dubai and witnessing Olympic medalists as well as new amateur players trying to prove their worth.
France, who were crowned Olympic champions during the last games; will be one of the teams determined to retain their SVNS Champions crown as in 2024 they defeated SVNS league winners Argentina to win the first men’s title.
South Africa, who have won the bronze medal during the last Olympics game, are looking forward to continuing their Dubai tour winning streak of five titles out of the last eight tournaments played.
The women of New Zealand made history after winning their second Olympic Gold medal in Paris and are focused on winning back the SVNS Champions title they lost to Australia in 2024. It would not be easy since Australia has won the last four women’s titles at The Sevens Stadium.
Over two days, twelve men’s and twelve women’s teams were given a chance to show their skills during the 12th Emirates 7s Rugby at the old Dubai creek where all captains gathered on wednesday and re united their old enemies and made new ones in warm handshakes.
The event has formed part of the world seven rugby series since its first competition in 1999 and also features top musicians and entertainers together with amateur sports activities to match the intensity of the high level rugby sevens showcased in a jubilant carnival surroundings.
The HSBC SVNS starts with pool games at 9:00 Local time (GMT+4) on Saturday, New Zealand, the defending women’s Olympic champions plays against Brazil in Pitch 2, followed by silver medalist Canada as they play their first match of the tournament against Japan in Pitch 1.
On Sunday, the second day commences at 09:20 with the quarter finals and the last stage of the day, the women gold medal match is at 19:5, the last match of the day where the men’s match is at 20:11 local time.
In a repeat of the 2024 Olympic final, Canada will face New Zealand in pool C, which also includes Brazil and Japan. In pool B, the USA, bronze medalists at the Olympics, placed with France, Great Britain, and Spain. On the other hand, the reigning champions of SVNS Australia will face Ireland, Fiji, and debutants China in pool A.
Kenya’s reentry to the top level of international rugby sevens has posed a difficult task for them as they draw against Olympic champions France, perennial Dubai winners South Africa and Australia in man’s pool A.
Last season, Argentina were on the most constant outstanding level on the men’s circuit and were drawn with Ireland, Great Britain and Uruguay in pool B. There is no doubt that current Olympic silver medalists Fiji will provide some thrills with their matches against New Zealand, the USA and Spain in pool C.
The competition format is similar to the Olympic one and in principle allows for the advancement to the quarter-finals of the top two teams from each group as well as the two best third-placed teams. From there on it is a rugby knockout format competition.
Following a glorious first year of World Rugby’s refreshed and rebranded worldwide celebration of rugby sevens, HSBC SVNS 2025 is set to have seven events across seven months in seven different world cities.
Six regular season events will be hosted in Dubai, Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore so as to determine who the HSBC SVNS League Winners will be, prior the Grand final at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles that will host rugby sevens during the 2028 Olympic Games.
The Women’s and Men’s SVNS champions will be declared at the Singapore World Championship where the top eight teams who have maximized everyone as well as the last six scheduled events will battle for the most coveted title in the competitions.
In addition, Los Angeles will be the venue for the promotion and relegation play-off between teams ranked ninth to twelfth and the four best teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger aiming to qualify to the next HSBC SVNS.