World Rugby has confirmed the full schedule for the 2026 HSBC SVNS season, with Dubai hosting the official launch ahead of this weekend’s opener at The Sevens Stadium. The new structure brings together three levels of competition, giving national teams a clear route from regional qualifying events to the top tier.
The announcement sets out all dates, host cities, and competing nations across the expanded system. Thirteen events will run across twelve countries, covering every World Rugby region. Each stop will feature both men’s and women’s teams, with equal participation fees in place.
World Championship to span Hong Kong and Europe
The top 24 sides will contest the SVNS World Championship across three locations. The tournament begins in Hong Kong before moving to Valladolid and Bordeaux. Both European cities join the calendar for the first time and will host the closing rounds of the 2026 title race.
Main SVNS Series includes six established hosts
The core SVNS Series remains spread across six familiar cities: Dubai, Cape Town, Singapore, Perth, Vancouver and New York. Each venue will stage a two-day event involving eight women’s and eight men’s teams.
2026 Series teams
Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
SVNS 2 and 3 confirm pathways for promotion
The second tier will take place in Nairobi, Montevideo and São Paulo. Four teams in each competition have already qualified, with two more places to be filled through results from SVNS 3.
SVNS 2 locations
- Nairobi: 14–15 February 2026
- Montevideo: 21–22 March 2026
- São Paulo: 28–29 March 2026
Women: China, Kenya, Spain, Brazil and two qualifiers from SVNS 3
Men: Kenya, USA, Germany, Uruguay and two qualifiers from SVNS 3
SVNS 3, the entry point for emerging nations, will be held in Dubai on 17–18 January. Teams that come through regional competitions will compete for promotion into SVNS 2.
SVNS 3 teams
Women: Argentina, Colombia, Czechia, Mexico, Poland, Samoa, South Africa, Thailand
Men: Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong China, Italy, Madagascar, Samoa, Tonga
Launch event held in Dubai
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson and Chief Executive Alan Gilpin presented the full schedule in Dubai alongside team captains. Gilpin said the new structure gives nations a clearer route to progress and sets up the sport well ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Dubai will open the season this weekend, with matches at The Sevens Stadium on 29–30 November. Music acts including Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul, Shaggy and DJ EZ will appear as part of the wider festival programme.
Tickets are available at emiratesdubai7s.com.
