Asia Rugby Sevens Series returns with new contenders chasing title honours

August to October are set to be busy months in Asia, with the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series and U18s tournaments set to get underway across China and Sri Lanka.

The headlining event, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS 2026) is set to feature 12 women’s and 12 men’s teams, with the two events taking place either side of the 2026 Asian Games taking in Aichi & Nagoya, Japan, which will also feature several sides.

Suzhou in China is set to host the first weekend of action on the final weekend of August, with the tournament set to feature two newly promoted sides in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Following the Asian Games in September, the ARESS 2026 Series will culminate in Colombo on the weekend of 17-18th October.

Defending champions of the women’s tournament, HSBC SVNS Series side Japan, will be hot favourites to defend their title, being joined by the rising teams China, Melrose Claymore sides Thailand and Hong Kong China, Kazakhstan, India, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

They will be joined this year by promoted sides Uzbekistan and Iran, with the Philippines and Indonesia being relegated to the Trophy Series earlier this year.

In the men’s tournament, Hong Kong China, fresh off finishing in fourth in SVNS 3 earlier this year, will be looking to defend their title as they chase higher honours in the shorter format.

They will be joined by strong competitors in Melrose Claymore sides Japan and China, as well as Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan and India will also be promoted to the tournament, making way for the Philippines and Chinese Taipei who will be relegated to the Trophy Series.

“The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series continues to be one of the flagship competitions in our calendar, showcasing the very best of rugby sevens across our region,” Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai told RugbyAsia 24/7.

“We are proud to welcome Asia’s leading men’s and women’s teams to Suzhou as they begin another exciting Series.”

“We are delighted to open the 2026 season in Suzhou before bringing the series to a close in Colombo later this year,” Asia Rugby Competitions Committee Chairperson Asanga Seneviratne added.

“We look forward to another outstanding edition of the Emirates Sevens Series, showcasing the talent, passion, and continued progress of rugby across the region.”

China will also see the U18s Sevens take place the week after the opening round of ARESS 2026 from 5-6th September 2026, with Qingdao set to host nine teams in the women’s competition and ten teams in the men’s competition.

Of note, defending champions of the men’s competition, Japan, will not be competing in the 2026 season, with their women’s team also not taking part.

The result sees the competition open up for the likes of challenging sides in China and Hong Kong China, the former side claiming the women’s championship and placing third in the men’s competition last year, while the latter finished second and third, respectively.

The U18s tournament is set to see sides from many of the nations competing in ARESS 2026 and the Asian Games also represented, showcasing a promising next generation of rugby in the region.

ASIA RUGBY EMIRATES SEVENS SERIES 2026 FIXTURES & TEAMS

Fixtures:

• Leg 1: Suzhou, China – 29-30 August 2026

• Leg 2: Colombo, Sri Lanka – 17-18 October 2026

Women’s Tournament: Japan, China, Thailand, Hong Kong China, Kazakhstan, India, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan (promoted), Iran (promoted)

Men’s Tournament: Hong Kong China, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan (promoted), India (promoted)

ASIA RUGBY EMIRATES U18s SEVENS 2026 FIXTURES & TEAMS

Fixtures:

• Qingdao, China – 5-6 September 2026

Women’s Tournament: China, Hong Kong China, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan

Men’s Tournament: China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan

2026 ASIAN GAMES FIXTURES & TEAMS

Venue:

• Nagoya (Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium), Japan – 1-3 October 2026

Women’s Tournament: Japan, China, Thailand, Hong Kong China, Kazakhstan, India, Singapore, Malaysia

Men’s Tournament: Hong Kong China, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan