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One month until HSBC SVNS 3 comes to Dubai
By Joe Harvey
There is one month to go until Dubai’s iconic Sevens Stadium hosts HSBC SVNS 3 between 17-18 January 2026.
This standalone event will feature eight men’s and women’s teams that have qualified for the event through regional tournaments. All 16 teams are competing for promotion to HSBC SVNS 2.
Action starts on Saturday 17 January when the women’s tournament gets proceedings underway when Colombia and Poland face-off at 10:00 (GMT +4).
VIDEO
To kick-off the men’s competition Madagascar take on Belgium.
View full match schedule here >>
Sunday 18 January will see teams progress to the play-offs as teams aim to become the first ever HSBC SVNS 3 champions. The top two men’s and women’s teams will secure promotion to HSBC SVNS 2.
Women’s pools
- Pool A: Czechia, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand
- Pool B: Argentina, Colombia, Poland, Samoa
Men’s pools
- Pool A: Colombia, Hong Kong China, Samoa, Tonga
- Pool B: Belgium, Canada, Italy, Madagascar
HSBC SVNS 2 takes place in February and March 2026. Events will be hosted in Nairobi, Montevideo and Sao Paolo, where promoted teams will come face to face with established sevens nations China, Kenya, Uruguay and USA.
In HSBC SVNS 2 the top four men’s and women’s teams can earn promotion to the top tier, HSBC SVNS World Championship Series.
This winner-takes all series will see 24 teams (12 men’s and 12 women’s) compete are prestigious stops in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.
A new era of HSBC SVNS
These fixtures form the first season of World Rugby’s newly evolved HSBC SVNS competition model. The season was designed to deliver long-term financial sustainability and aid in the global growth of rugby sevens ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
The model provides a clearer and faster pathway from regional competition to the SVNS World Championship within a single season.
Sam Pinder, World Rugby Sevens General Manager, said: “With one month to go, HSBC SVNS 3 represents an important milestone in the evolution of our global sevens pathway.
“Bringing this standalone Challenger event to Dubai provides teams with a clear, competitive route towards the SVNS World Championship, while reinforcing our commitment to growing the game sustainably and globally.”
Fans around the world will be able to watch every match live on RugbyPass TV, bringing the excitement of HSBC SVNS 3 directly to global audiences.
Watch all the SVNS from Dubai for FREE this weekend on RPTV!
*Available live in select territories
