Dubai 7s 2025: Your complete guide to the opening SVNS weekend

The countdown is almost over – Dubai is preparing to host the Middle East’s largest celebration of sports and entertainment. Emirates Dubai 7s returns on November 28-30, featuring the opening leg of the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS Series over the weekend.

World-class athletes will showcase their Olympic-level strength and speed over two days, as the top eight teams in women’s and men’s sevens battle for glory in front of thousands at The Sevens Stadium.

Australia are searching for their sixth-consecutive women’s title in Dubai, having beaten arch-rivals New Zealand in the decider last season. Maddison Levi was the star of the show that weekend, with the Aussie scoring a record-setting 15 tries in two days.

Fiji are looking to go back-to-back in Dubai for the first time ever, defeating giant-slayers Spain 19-5 last season. Spain had beaten the All Blacks Sevens twice during the nation’s run to a first-ever Cup Final on the SVNS Series.

Spain and Fiji have not been drawn in the same pool for this season’s event.

Fiji have been given a tough draw ahead of their title defence. They are in Pool A, which is the ‘pool of champions’ with 2024/25 SVNS Series winner South Africa, reigning League Winners Argentina, and Paris Olympics gold medallists France.

In Pool B, Spain will have a chance to repeat last season’s heroics when they take on the All Blacks Sevens. The Spaniards will also face a new-look Australia side, and an always-dangerous Great Britain outfit.

Australia are in the second women’s pool along with their Olympic rivals Canada, Great Britain and Japan. The Black Ferns Sevens are in Pool A with the United States of America, France and Fiji.

The biggest invitational rugby tournament in the world will also take place over the weekend. Rugby Australia unveiled a star-studded Australia A side that will compete in the invitational event, featuring two Wallaroos wingers and an Olympian.

“The HSBC SVNS is back! Dubai is the perfect kick-off for the new-look series, featuring the world’s top teams, the biggest stars… over two competition days,” World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said in a statement.

“With a runway through to the LA 2028 Olympic Games, some of the biggest stars who shone brightly at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will be in action, bringing fans even closer to the personalities who inspired a new fanbase for the sport.”

Festival Director Mathew Tait added: “With so many Women’s Rugby World Cup stars returning to the HSBC SVNS stage, this year’s Emirates Dubai 7s will be a showcase of world-class talent. Dubai sets the tone for the global series, and fans can expect thrilling matches, incredible music, and an electric atmosphere.”

Former England internationals Emily Scaratt, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole, and Olympic silver medallist Tom Mitchell, are among the sporting legends hosting rugby masterclasses throughout Friday.

For The Love of Rugby is a world-famous rugby podcast hosted by Youngs and Cole. They will be broadcasting for the Sunroom hospitality area, allowing attendees to listen to two of England’s all-time greats talk about various topics.

Rugby isn’t the only sport on show, with cricket presented by Dulsco Group, netball presented by Dubai Holding Community Management, Rebound Padel, and the WODON3 fitness competition.

There will be cricket masterclasses on Friday hosted by James Anderson, Kate Cross, Jacques Kallis and more.

Music legends Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul, Shaggy, and DJs EZ and FISHER will perform at 2025 Dubai 7s, making this an unmissable festival of sport and entertainment that you don’t want to miss.

On Saturday, British rapper Tempah headlines Beats on 2, while Paul and Shaggy will perform at the Frequency on 8 stage. Sunday is about the DJs with FISHER, best known for smash hits ‘Losing It’ and ‘You Little Beauty’, bringing the event to an incredible end.

Local talent will also perform.

There’s family-friendly fun for everyone to enjoy, with 2025 Dubai 7s including a zipline for the first time, in partnership with Arabian Adventures. This zipline will fly over the festival area and crowds, with a dual line allowing everyone to enjoy the activity with loved ones.

The free fall jump, and the Quad Bike Adventure, in partnership with Arabian Adventures, are other new additions for this year’s event. There will be a dedicated Kids’ Zone open from 10am to 6pm, themed around superheroes and villains.

Friday is officially family-friendly.

The Outdoor Kids’ Zone for older children aged between four and 16 offers plenty of games and activities, including superhero VR activation, arcade tent, the largest inflatable ever at the 7s, an F1 driving simulator and more.

There will be an Outdoor Kids’ Cinema from 6 to 9pm each night, too.

Dubai 7s 2025 offers a wide selection of food and beverages, such as Tortilla, Vietnamese Foodies, Boost, Here-O, Humantra, Science in Sport and Slim Chickens.

There will also be the traditional EK A380 flyover on Saturday.

The Sensory Room, in partnership with Sensory4You, will also be available throughout the event, as part of the tournament’s commitment to inclusivity.

Tickets, including three-day passes, are available now at www.emiratesdubai7s.com.

Day Passes are priced at AED 595 or AED 525 for People of Determination. Saturday or Sunday General Admission tickets start from AED 455 or AED 375 for People of Determination.