With a bold ambition to supercharge rugby’s global reach and appeal by being more relevant and accessible to younger, leisure-hungry audiences, SVNS aims to deliver the ultimate in immersive experiences, a unique festival of sport, entertainment and culture set against stunning backdrops.
Launching in December 2023, SVNS festivals will provide the 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 on the re-imagined series as it has entrenched itself as one of South Africa’s pre-eminent FOMO events in any genre ever since the South African leg of the series moved to the Mother City in 2015.
More than 620,000 supporters have streamed through the Cape Town Stadium gates in the past six tournaments, making it one of the best-attended live events in South Africa, while no fewer than six different men's and women's teams have been crowned champions.
HBSC SVNS – 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
All dates and venues are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
For the latest information on tickets, fans should visit the new SVNS.com website to find out more.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “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.
“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 unified under the same approach, 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.
“We are delighted to be extending our long-standing and impactful title partnership with HSBC. They share our passion to grow the sport in 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 by the opportunity we have in front of us to work with HSBC to take SVNS to the next level.”
Summer vibes, festival feel
Off the field, SVNS is all about summertime vibes. Sun-soaked days and unique experiences as rugby, music, food, and wellbeing combine to attract a new generation of audiences. Celebrating cuisine and culture, each SVNS destination will celebrate its unique local flavour, adding to the overall excitement and enjoyment of the events across the globe. There will also be a range of competitive and social sports for all at SVNS festivals, from non-contact rugby to functional fitness. Every event will deliver something unique.
