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HSBC SVNS: A new dawn for the sport of rugby sevens
Rugby sevens is about to undergo a transformative change with the launch of HSBC SVNS, a revamped and rebranded global celebration of the sport. The new series aims to supercharge rugby’s growth and appeal by providing immersive experiences and turning the events into ultimate festivals.
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HSBC SVNS will take place across eight iconic cities, aligning all locations for the first time. The brand identity reflects summer vibes; attracting a younger, leisure-hungry audience. The annual series will be the go-to destination for people seeking a great time, combining sport, entertainment, and culture against stunning backdrops.
The festivals will feature the world’s best men’s and women’s sevens athletes, offering a global stage for 12 teams at each location. The event dates and venues are set, starting in Dubai in December and concluding with the grand final in Madrid in June 2024.
HBSC SVNS – Festival dates
- Dubai, UAE – 2-3 December, 2023;
- Cape Town, South Africa – 9-10 December, 2023;
- Perth, Australia – 26-28 January, 2024;
- Vancouver, Canada – 23-25 February, 2024;
- Los Angeles, USA – 2-3 March, 2024;
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China – 5-7 April 2024
- Singapore, Singapore – 3-5 May 2024;
- Madrid, Spain – 31 May-2 June, 2024.
HSBC SVNS is not just about the on-field action; it embodies a festival atmosphere with sun-soaked days, music, food, and well-being. Each destination will showcase its unique local flavour, enhancing the overall excitement and enjoyment of the events. Various competitive and social sports will be available, catering to different interests.
The competition format has been revamped to maximize drama and excitement. Based on cumulative series points, the top eight teams will compete in the new ‘winner takes all’ grand final in Madrid where the men’s and women’s champions will be crowned.
Additionally, Madrid will host a relegation play-off competition involving teams ranked ninth to 12th, as well as the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
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HSBC SVNS is also committed to gender parity, featuring combined men’s and women’s competitions across all seven rounds and the grand final. World Rugby has increased its investment in participation fees by 70 per cent, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable growth.
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin expressed his excitement about HSBC SVNS and its potential to broaden the sport’s reach and appeal. “We are excited to be launching HSBC SVNS, the supercharged new identity for our Olympic format, with iconic destinations and a new concept on and off the field, broadening the reach and appeal of the sport beyond its traditional audiences,” he said.
“Our ambition is for SVNS to be at the forefront of our growth strategy, appealing to a younger, leisure-hungry audience. In eight iconic destinations played over seven months, we will bring together a truly immersive festival of rugby, music, food and experiences to create the ultimate weekend-long get-together for young people, the hottest ticket and open a new era for the sport.
“For the first time in rugby sevens history, all locations will be centrally run, meaning that the overall experience is the same and we can optimise commercial revenue for reinvestment, including playing our part in ensuring that sevens is a viable career path for the talented players and Olympians.”
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The HSBC SVNS series aims to attract a younger audience by creating an immersive festival that combines rugby, music, food, and experiences. The centrally-run locations allow for a consistent experience and optimize commercial revenue for reinvestment.
To mark the launch, the ‘Destination: SVNS’ campaign celebrates the vibrant brand and positions SVNS as the ultimate summer-style destination, offering entertainment and immersive experiences from sunrise to sunset. The series was developed through extensive consultation with teams, tournament hosts, players’ representatives, and fans.
HSBC continues its support of rugby sevens as the title partner of SVNS in a four-year deal. The bank’s CEO, Noel Quinn, expresses pride in the opportunities created through their partnership with World Rugby, including expanding the sport into new markets and supporting the growth of women’s rugby.
HSBC ambassador and former USA 7s captain Abby Gustaitis added: “Having recently come to the end of my HSBC SVNS playing career, I am so delighted that the next generation of female sevens players will be part of a series that is completely equal in terms of schedule and pay.
“HSBC has been a huge supporter of the growth of the women’s game and today’s announcement is a huge step in making rugby a sport that is fully equal for all.”
HSBC boss Quinn said: “Through many years of working closely with World Rugby to showcase and support the sport worldwide, HSBC has become synonymous with the World Rugby Sevens.
“I’m particularly proud of the new opportunities that we have helped to open up by taking the sport into new markets, supporting the growth of the women’s game and giving tens of thousands of young people the chance to try rugby for the first time.
“I’m delighted that our hugely successful partnership with World Rugby will continue for years to come, and that HSBC will be able to help the sport reach even greater heights.”
- Click here to visit HSBC SVNS
Comments on RugbyPass
Can we also show some love for Tane Edmed’s fantastic draw and pass? Put his body on the line and committed the defender before letting go of that pass. Flawless skill.
3 Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
7 Go to commentsDanny don't care. He pretends to care but he don't. He says all this stuff to justify his reasoning but no one can claim that legitimately. He knew exactly what he was doing and wondered if his old team mate would overlook it, which he did. Ref has got to be sidelined or properly trained. It's one thing for refs to move up the ranks but if it was me I would require refs to either have played in different clubs or not at all having the temptation to bias in high stakes games like this. This has got to be stamped out. But then again World Rugby is so destroying the game of rugby in an attempt to be more “safe” and “concussion free”. What they are doing is making it more infuriating for the fans and more difficult for the refs to officiate evenly and consistently. It's fast become Australian Rules football. If guys don't want concussions, they should have played chess. Stop complaining you oldies of the game. When they played the game was vastly heavier hitting than it is now but of course they can't see that.
2 Go to commentsJa, why do Bulls get flack for not bringing their best but Leinster never bring their best and it goes “unnoticed”?
3 Go to commentsIt’ll be very interesting to see how Razor’s AB’s handle the new England rush D. It’s basically the Bok recipe they copied, so if England goes well then we know most likely the Boks will go well too. If England cops a hiding then we’ll have to study and adapt.
7 Go to commentsTypical trait of an australian is to moan. Goes well with there lack of humbleness as evident by the Reds bench on the weekend.
3 Go to commentsSBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
7 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
3 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
7 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
7 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
7 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
7 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
7 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to comments