Olympic venue locked in as SVNS World Championship heads to LA

Three years out from the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the Organising Committee have issued an updated venue plan, which includes the previously announced host venue for rugby sevens in the city of Carson.

Rugby sevens athletes daring to dream of winning an Olympic medal in 2028 will have another chance to play at Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson Stadium) next month when the HSBC SVNS Series heads to LA for the winner-takes-all World Championship.

LA 2028 Sports Director Niccolo Campriani sat down with RugbyPass at the stadium in March 2024 and spoke about how sevens can be a “unique” event at the Games, as fans have an opportunity to watch the sport at the very same Olympic venue leading into LA28.

LA’s Dignity Health Sports Park will host the World Championship and SVNS Series playoffs on May 3-4. Don’t miss out – buy your tickets HERE.

At the time, the stadium was the proposed venue for rugby sevens at the Games, but it’s since been confirmed as the host complex for the sport. Archery will also be held at the stadium, while track cycling, hocky and tennis are played at the existing sports complex.

“We’ve promised the world an incredible Olympic Games, and today we’re proud to share the plan that will make it happen,” LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover said in a statement.

“Los Angeles is the epicentre of sports, culture and entertainment, and every venue selected for the 2028 Games will provide athletes and fans the best possible experience.

“The 2028 Olympic venue plan invites communities from across the region to celebrate the Games coming to their backyard with the most exciting sports staged at some of the world’s top-tier existing stadiums and arenas, famous beaches and purpose-built temporary structures.”

Dignity Health Sports Park will host the winner-takes-all World Championship on May 3-4, with the top eight teams in men’s and women’s sevens competing to become overall SVNS Series champions. France men and Australia women are the defending champions from 2023/24.

Great Britain were the last team to secure their spot at the Series finale. They’re joined by Spain, Argentina, Fiji, South Africa, France, Australia and New Zealand in the race for the world title, with the eight teams spread across two pools of four.

In women’s sevens, Paris Olympics bronze medallists the USA have been drawn in Pool B along with Australia, France and Fiji. League Winners New Zealand headline Pool A which also includes Canada, Japan and Great Britain.

The World Championship is the closest SVNS Series athletes will get to an Olympic Games-type event until Los Angeles in 2028. There’s no room for error, and there’s a lot of pressure resting on the shoulders of these sevens stars in a fight to prove themselves as the world’s best.

“As the host city for the 2028 Games, Los Angeles will become only the third city in the history of the world to host the Summer Olympics three times and these venues will showcase the best of our city to a global audience,” City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass explained.

“This plan brings the Games to all corners of our city like never before – from the Sepulveda Basin to the iconic shores of Venice Beach, our world-famous neighbourhoods as well as our hidden gems will be on full display for all to experience and enjoy.

“And as we come together to prepare, we will help small businesses, create local jobs and implement lasting environmental and transportation improvements that will leave a legacy in our city for generations to come.”

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Men’s pools for SVNS Series World Championship

Pool A: Argentina, South Africa, France, Great Britain

Pool B: Fiji, Spain, Australia, New Zealand

Women’s pools for SVNS Series World Championship

Pool A: New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Great Britain

Pool B: Australia, France, USA, Fiji