Following the thrilling and very successful Olympic competitions in Tokyo, rugby sevens returns to HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series action on 18-19 September with BC Place in Vancouver hosting the first event of the 2021 Series, which sees a men’s Series event combined with a women’s fast-four tournament.
The following weekend, on 25-26 September, the teams will switch venues in Canada to compete again at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, which will host a HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event for the first time and was the venue of the Rugby World Cup 2006 final.
World Rugby, its event hosts and participating unions remain committed to delivering an exciting programme of series events for the world’s best men’s and women’s sevens teams. However, as with all sports of a global nature, adjustments are inevitable within a challenging and dynamic COVID-19 environment.
Due to this uncertainty, travel restrictions and other impacts of the global pandemic, the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) and World Rugby have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2021, which was scheduled for 5-7 November.
The decision follows detailed and constructive dialogue between World Rugby, the HKRU, participating unions and relevant Hong Kong government bodies, and has been taken with the health and wellbeing of the rugby community and the wider public as the top priority.
The date for the 2022 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has been set for 1-3 April, meaning there are just 239 days to go until international rugby sevens action returns to one of its most famous homes in Hong Kong.
It has also been decided that the HSBC Paris Sevens women’s event, which was originally scheduled to take place in Marcoussis in May, will also not take place in 2021 due to Covid-19 impacts.
The updated 2021 Series now includes five men’s and two women’s rounds planned to take place in the final four months of the year.
18/19 September 2021 - Canada Vancouver Men
25/26 September 2021 - Canada Edmonton Men
29/30 October 2021 - Singapore Men
03/04 December 2021 - Dubai Men
03/04 December 2021 - Dubai Women
10/12 December 2021 - Cape Town Men
10/12 December 2021 - Cape Town Women