Revved-Up Rugby Sevens World Championship Series: A Future of Thrilling Action and International Growth
World Rugby eyeing improbable alterations for Sevens' Olympic future
Get ready for a seismic shake-up in the world of rugby sevens! The sport's top governing body, World Rugby, has introduced a radical new format, set to go live in 2026. Here's an inside scoop on the upcoming changes, including the revised team structure, shorter tournament schedule, and the global host tender process.
Stepping Up the Game:
- Three-Tier Competition Structure: With the new format, the World Championship Series tournaments will boast an impressive lineup of 12 men's and 12 women's teams, each striving to be crowned annual world champions.
- Short and Sweet Tournaments: While the specifics of the tournament duration for the World Championship Series are still under wraps, the HSBC Sevens Series Division 1 in 2025 has already jumped ship from a three-day event to a two-day extravaganza of rugby action.
- Let the Bidding Begin: World Rugby is currently launching a global tender process for host cities interested in hosting these electrifying events.
A More Accessible and Exciting Rugby Ecosystem:
- Expansion of Tournaments: The upcoming season will burst onto the scene with a whopping 13 tournaments, promising a fiercely competitive and budget-friendly landscape.
- Making Room for Growth: World Rugby plans to put £10 million annually into the development of the game, with a special focus on subsidizing team participation fees to finance the new structure.
The revamped World Rugby Sevens World Championship Series is all systems go, eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the perfect platform for showcasing the sport's global growth and endorsement. Stay tuned for more updates on the much-anticipated Challenger event and event dates – they're on their way!
As Hong Kong China Rugby put it, sport enthusiasts can look forward to a "sustainable and exciting new model of soccer sevens" – and we couldn't agree more!
- Hong Kong China Rugby will eagerly await the 2028 HSBC-sponsored Rugby Sevens World Championship Series, targeting a thrilling display of the sport during the Los Angeles Olympics.
- Beginning in the 2026 season, the Rugby Sevens World Championship Series will feature a competitive yet affordable landscape, with a trio of tiers consisting of 12 men's and 12 women's teams, aiming to win the annual world championship.
- Sport fans can look forward to a shorter yet more intense tournament schedule, as the World Championship Series will potentially witness a shift from three days to two days, following the successful two-day format of the 2025 HSBC Sevens Series Division 1.
