South Africa and New Zealand begin their defense of the World Rugby Sevens World Series titles with the first tournament in Dubai that kicks off on November 28, 2025.

Last year, South Africa and Australia won both events in Dubai. But this year, the competition kicks off under a new format that will see eight teams in both categories compete in six tournaments in Dubai, Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver, Singapore and New York before proceeding to the Championship.

Three Tournaments

The Championship has three tournaments in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux which will include qualifiers from the rebranded Tier Two and Tier Three teams for a chance to progress to the top eight. 

In Dubai, the two top teams in each pool automatically qualify for the cup semi-finals. South Africa are in Pool A which has Argentina, Fiji and France while Pool B comprises Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and Spain. 

Teams in the top tier: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA (women); Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain (men).

Tournament Venues and Dates

Dubai, UAE: November 29-20, 2025.

Cape Town, South Africa: December 6-7, 2025.

Singapore: January 31 – February 1, 2026.

Perth, Australia: February 7-8, 2026. 

Vancouver, Canada: March 7-8, 2026.

New York, USA: March 14-15, 2026. 

Championship

Hong Kong, China: April 17-17, 2026.

Valladolid, Spain: May 29-31, 2026.

Bordeaux, France: June 5-7, 2026.

The draw for Dubai

Women

Pool A: Fiji, France, New Zealand, USA

Pool B: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan.

Fixtures: New Zealand v France, USA v Fiji, Australia v Japan, Canada v Great Britain, Fiji v France, New Zealand v USA, Great Britain v Japan, Australia v Canada, USA v France, New Zealand v Fiji, Canada v Japan, Australia v Great Britain.

Men

Pool A: Argentina, Fiji, France, South Africa.

Pool B: Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain.

Fixtures: New Zealand v Great Britain, Spain v Australia, Argentina v Fiji, South Africa v France, Spain v Great Britain, New Zealand v Australia, South Africa v Fiji, Argentina v France, Spain v New Zealand, Australia v Great Britain, France v Fiji, South Africa v Argentina.