SVNS heads to New York: Olympic heroes set for Big Apple debut

The HSBC SVNS Series is coming to the Big Apple on March 14-15, 2026, with World Rugby, USA Rugby and TEG Rugby Live announcing New York City as the host for the United States leg of the world’s premier sevens circuit.

New York is the final piece of the puzzle for the 2025/26 SVNS Series, with the other five regular season destinations and three World Championships host cities already confirmed ahead of the season opener in Dubai on November 29-30.

Sports Illustrated Stadium will welcome SVNS Series action to its field for the first time, with Olympic athletes set to showcase their skill, speed and courage across two days at the state-of-the-art venue.

The stadium is home to Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and National Women’s Soccer League’s Gotham FC. With a capacity of 25,000, fans won’t want to miss this festival of rugby and the unique energy of the city that never sleeps.

Fans will have the chance to watch some of their Olympic heroes battle for glory against some of the world’s fittest and fastest athletes, with Paris bronze medallists the USA one of eight women’s teams competing for the title.

Defending SVNS Series winners South Africa, and New Zealand’s world-famous All Blacks Sevens are among the eight men’s teams who will fight for every inch and point in a bid to become world champions this season.

World Rugby remains committed to growing the sport in the USA ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, and the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively. This SVNS event is another golden opportunity for new fans to fall in love with rugby’s most dynamic format.

“We are thrilled to bring the HSBC SVNS series to New York, one of the world’s most iconic cities, for the first time,” World Rugby Chief Executive, Alan Gilpin, said.

“The city’s energy and the passion of U.S. rugby fans make this the perfect stage for our athletes to showcase the speed, skill, and energy of sevens rugby.

“We look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for fans, players, and the broader rugby community as we continue to grow the sport in the United States.”

The SVNS Series has been an important chapter in the storied careers of some of rugby’s brightest stars. Ilona Maher helped the USA win Olympic bronze before switching to 15s for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and Antoine Dupont steered France to a gold medal and SVNS glory.

Rugby union’s popularity in America is on the rise, with the recent success of major Test matches, including the All Blacks versus Ireland showdown in Chicago. USA men’s side played England in Washington D.C. and the national women’s side faced Canada in Kansas City.

“The New York City and tri-state area is a truly fitting host for HSBC SVNS. New York is an iconic home to so many global cultures, it’s a perfect backdrop for the most elite athletes and fans from each corner of the world to come together around rugby,” USA Rugby Chief Executive Bill Goren explained.

“With many storied clubs and institutions based in the tri-state area, we’re thrilled for our USA Rugby community to host this special event and see HSBC SVNS continue to grow in the United States.”

TEG Rugby Live Managing Director Stephen Cottrell added: “We’re incredibly excited to bring the HSBC SVNS Series to New York.

“Working with World Rugby to grow the game in the United States has been a fantastic endeavour, and we’re delighted to take the next step in that partnership by bringing the HSBC SVNS to the east coast, and to one of the world’s greatest cities.”

The 2025/26 SVNS Series gets underway later this month at the Dubai Sevens on November 29-30. Cape Town, Singapore, Perth, Vancouver and New York are the other regular season stops coming up, before the new-look World Championships.

Hong Kong China, Valladolid and Bordeaux are the final stops of the season, where the overall SVNS Series women’s and men’s champions will be crowned.

Tickets for HSBC SVNS New York will go on sale on December 4 for club seats and two-day passes. Single day tickets go on sale in January.

Fans can register their interest in HSBC SVNS New York tickets to receive details about the event and early ticket sales opportunities HERE.

“I’m speechless! New York and sevens are the same… fast-paced, intense, and everyone brings their own style. As a NYC native, getting to see this happen feels unreal,” USA Women’s Sevens Eagle and New Yorker, Su Adegoke, said.

“I would have never seen this coming! My dream was to make it onto an SVNS Series stop, and now the SVNS Series stop is coming to me.

“Fans should be excited to experience the city that never sleeps! The late-night chopped cheese, street and subway performers, pizza, Times Square, the nightlife, and especially the bodegas!”