(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
World Rugby Confirms 2026 HSBC SVNS Series Venues
World Rugby has officially announced the destinations for the 2026 HSBC SVNS Series, introducing a new European double-header with Valladolid, Spain, and Bordeaux, France, set to host the season’s closing rounds.
The revamped format will feature six regular-season events, followed by a three-leg World Championship that will decide the top-tier line-up for 2027.
Among the confirmed hosts are Dubai, Cape Town, Singapore, Vancouver, and Hong Kong, with venues in Australia and the USA to be revealed soon. Hong Kong will stage the opening championship event on April 17–19, 2026, before Valladolid (May 29–31, 2026) and Bordeaux (June 5–7, 2026) bring the season to an exciting close.
The 2026 calendar begins in Dubai on November 29–30, 2025, and runs through to Bordeaux in June 2026. Both men’s and women’s tournaments will be played at each venue, ensuring equal opportunities and participation fees for all teams.
Defending champions South Africa (men) and New Zealand (women) will kick off the new season under the fresh three-year model, designed to give stability ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
The top-tier teams for 2026 are:
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Women’s Teams: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
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Men’s Teams: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said the new model, including the three-location World Championship, adds excitement for fans and reflects the growing global demand for rugby sevens.
Fans can catch all the action on RugbyPass TV or through local broadcasters as the world’s best teams battle for glory in the run-up to the next Olympic cycle.
