Hong Kong, China, June 5, 2022: Hong Kong has become famous around the world as the home of rugby sevens – and the Special Administrative Region of China is set to play a major part in the new HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023.
World Rugby has announced the 11-leg series for 2023 with Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 at stake. The top four men’s and women’s teams in 2023 will book a ticket to Paris.
Hong Kong will host two of the 11 events – the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens for men from November 4-6, 2022 and the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens for men and women from March 31-April 2, 2023.
There will also be stops in Dubai for the Emirates Dubai Sevens for men and women from December 2-3, 2022 and in Singapore for the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens for men from April 8-9, 2023.
The men’s series involves a record-equalling 11 rounds, while the women’s series includes a record seven rounds, an increase of one from 2022.
Before the 2023 Series kicks off, rugby sevens players and fans will enjoy a busy and exciting period over the forthcoming months with the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England from July 29-31, followed by the climax of the men’s 2022 Series in Los Angeles in August and the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town on September 9-11.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “Following a uniquely challenging period for global sport, we are delighted to announce that rugby sevens is back to full force with a full line-up of hosts and teams for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in 2023, which is the biggest to date.
“Fans around the world can mark their calendars and look ahead with excitement and certainty to a Series which promises to be highly competitive and intense from the start to finish with Paris 2024 Olympic qualification on offer for the top four women’s and men’s teams in the 2023 Series standings.”
Source: World Rugby