World's Greatest Rugby Sevens Party is Back! HK7s Taking Place 4-6 November

Dark/Light Mode (03/11/22)  Fifteen of the world’s top rugby sevens nations are back in Hong Kong to battle it out with the hosts for one of world rugby’s most coveted crowns, the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Cup.

Taking place from 4 to 6 November, more than 30,000 fans will be at Hong Kong Stadium despite capacity being capped at 85% due to local regulations.

The Hong Kong Sevens, widely regarded as the greatest rugby sevens party on earth, has not taken place in the vibrant city since March 2019.

The 2022 edition will be a special one with Hong Kong - in an unique November window for the first time ever - given the honour of opening the 2022/23 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and hosting the first multi-day mass sports event locally since the onset of the pandemic.

HK7s - the greatest celebration of rugby sevens in the world. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

A double measure of sevens is in store for the fans with the World Series returning to Hong Kong again in April 2023, including a full edition of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series for the first time ever.

The Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will then resume its cherished position as one of the world’s largest annual international rugby gatherings; in previous editions as many as 40 national teams have taken part in the men’s Series, men’s Qualifiers and the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens tournaments in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong Sevens has been a flagship sports event in Hong Kong for almost half a century. We are extremely excited to welcome the return of this world-class sports event after a two-year hiatus. The intense matches among some of the world’s top rugby players will fill Hong Kong with enthusing energy, showcasing our dynamic city ambience to all spectators. Hong Kong is prepared to welcome the city’s most thrilling weekend of the year!” said Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director, Dane Cheng.

Since the last try was scored in Hong Kong in March 2019, Argentina and Ireland have cemented their spots in the upper echelon, while South Africa enter a pivotal season in the first year without inspirational coach Neil Powell.

Team Great Britain makes an appearance in Hong Kong for the first time in the 45-year history of the event, while New Zealand, winners of 11 cups in Hong Kong, return to the series full-time after a truncated appearance last year due to pandemic travel restrictions.

One constant in Hong Kong is fabulous Fiji. Fiji will be out to extend their record win streak here to six in a row, and potentially capture a 20th Hong Kong Cup overall in 2022.

They bring with them a man supremely experienced in navigating the cauldron of the Hong Kong Stadium in new coach and former England Sevens legend Ben Gollings, one of the Hong Kong Sevens’ “Magnificent Seven” team members.

“Hong Kong is a favourite tournament in Fiji. All the players love to play here and I loved playing here as a player, the energy and the atmosphere is incredible. This is a home away from home for Fiji, it is the pinnacle tournament back home and the one they all love to watch,” said Gollings. “When it comes to tournament time and knowing that that crowd and atmosphere will be there it is exciting. It’s the comeback event for Hong Kong and running out on Friday with that view and the stadium right on top of them will be spectacular. One of the things we do well is to play a style of rugby that ignites the crowds and the atmosphere, hopefully we will be able to do provide that spark this weekend.”

The draw has done them no favours with series champions Australia, New Zealand, and the raw physical challenge of Samoa also in Pool A. South Africa, Great Britain, France and Uruguay are in Pool B, Fiji, USA, Spain and Japan are Pool C and Argentina, Ireland, Kenya and Canada are in Pool D.

Chris Brooke, new chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union summed up the emotions of many ahead of kick off saying, “The pandemic postponements have led to significant financial and staff losses in recent years, yet we are fortunate to have taken solace in the strength of our community at home and the support of our friends in rugby around the world. Many of us play rugby because it demands absolute teamwork, resilience, and a shared vision for success - traits which have sustained us as an organization in this time. Rugby also teaches you how to take a knock, get up, and get back in the game. Well, the HKRU are still standing and I am proud to say that this November the game is getting back to Hong Kong.”

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.

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