An anticipated return to a 12-team format has been shelved after World Rugby announced the venues for the 2026/2027 Sevens Series calendar. 

Instead, the world governing body has opted for continuity by retaining the venues that hosted the six-leg Series and three-leg championship. The Series traditionally kicks off on November 28 in Dubai before docking in Cape Town, South Africa for the next leg.

Singapore hosts the first tournament at the end of January, 2027 before the teams proceed to Perth, Australia for the fourth tournament. The next two tournaments will be in Van Couver, Canada and New York, USA paving the way for the championship in Hong Kong, Spain and France.

Added Incentive

This season’s competition shall have an added incentive as teams eye qualification for the 2028 Olympics to be hosted by the USA in Los Angeles. 

South Africa’s Blitz Boks won the Series ahead of Fiji and Australia. They then defied all odds to clinch the championship in Bordeaux, France. New Zealand won the women’s Series but Australia took the championship.

New Zealand will have a new coach after Tomasi Cama stepped down at the end of the season.

Dismal Performance

In the Series, USA returns to the big stage replacing Great Britain who performed dismally.  Spain’s women’s team will return to the top division in the women’s division at the expense of Great Britain.

The venues for the second tier competition as well as the format has not been released although there are indications that the opening tournament will be in Nairobi, Kenya for the second time in February, 2027. 

World Rugby Sevens Series Venues and Dates

Dubai (The Sevens Stadium): November 28-29, 2026.

Cape Town, South Africa (DHL Stadium): December 5-6, 2026.

Singapore (The Kallang): January 30-31, 2027.

Perth, Australia (HFB Park): February 6-7, 2027.

Vancouver, Canada (BC Place): March 6-7, 2027.

New York, USA (Sports Illustrated Stadium): March 13-14, 2027.

How they finished

Men: South Africa 106, Fiji 104, Australia 82, New Zealand 80, France 76, Argentina 72, Spain 62, Great Britain 42.

Women: New Zealand 118, Australia 110, USA 86, France 78, Canada 68, Fiji 64, Japan 64, Great Britain 36. 

World Championship

Hong Kong, China (Kai Tak Sports Park): April 9-11, 2027.

Valladolid, Spain (Estadio Jose Zorrilla): May 21-23, 2027.

Bordeaux, France (Stade Atlantique): May 28-30, 2027.

How they finished

Men: South Africa 52, New Zealand 44, Spain 42, Australia 38, Argentina 38, Fiji 36, France 34, USA 17, Kenya 16, Great Britain 10, Germany 8, Uruguay 7.

Women: Australia 58, New Zealand 54, Canada 44, USA 44, France 40, Japan 28, Fiji 26, Spain 18, Brazil 9, Argentina 8, Great Britain 7, South Africa 6.