Latest news with #WorldChampionshipSeries
South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Sevens' financial future at stake, changes necessary for Olympics
World Rugby said the changes to its sevens competition were designed to secure the sport's financial future and grow its global reach ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Advertisement Confirming it was slashing the number of teams in the World Series from 12 to eight, and installing a six-team second division, the sport's governing body also said regular tournaments would be cut from three days to just two. There was no word, however, on the format for the new World Championship Series, which will be played over three events and include the 12 best men's and women's teams. In its statement, rugby bosses said they would launch a 'global host tender process' this month. 'The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is a globally renowned, iconic event for rugby sevens fans and we are committed to supporting World Rugby in delivering a sustainable and exciting new model of SVNS,' Hong Kong China Rugby said in a statement. 'Further details and event dates will be announced in due course.' The Rugby Sevens structure for 2026 A stand-alone Challenger event, which the new structure suggests will take place before the start of the second-tier competition, would continue to provide a pathway for lesser sides to progress, World Rugby said.
RNZ News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Sevens series shake-up aimed at global reach ahead of LA Olympics
World Rugby shakes up sevens structure The Black Ferns Sevens will play in a revamped world series next year. Photo: photosport World Rugby will introduce a new sevens structure in 2026 which will have a three-division regular season and an increased number of events in a bid to make it cost-effective and more competitive. The updated model will expand the calendar from 10 to 13 tournaments starting next year, with the primary aim of the overhaul being to boost rugby sevens' global reach ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics. The season will conclude with three high-profile World Championship Series events, each featuring 12 men's and women's teams, to crown the annual world champions. Rugby sevens was played at the Olympics for the first time at the 2016 Rio Games, with both men's and women's contests. The eight teams competing in this weekend's world championships in Los Angeles will form the division one teams for the 2026 series. Heading into the LA leg, the Black Ferns Sevens top the women's rankings, while the All Blacks Sevens are seventh of the 12 men's teams. The teams that finish with final rankings of ninth to 12th from the LA playoff tournament will qualify for the second division next year, while the 13th to 16th finishers will have to compete in regional qualifier competitions for places in an eight-team third division. World Rugby Sevens general manager Sam Pinder said 10 million pounds (NZ$22 million) would be invested annually to grow the game, with a large proportion allocated to team participation fees. "While change can be difficult, this is an evolution that ultimately secures the sustainable advancement of a sport that has proven to be a hit at the Olympic Games, showcasing some of the most gifted athletes on the planet," he said. The venues for next year's series will be subject to a host tender process. - Reuters
The Star
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-World Rugby announces overhaul of sevens structure
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - HSBC Sevens - Singapore - National Stadium, Singapore - April 6, 2025 Argentina and New Zealand celebrate with the trophies after winning the HSBC Sevens 2025 Men's and Women's leagues REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo (Reuters) -World Rugby will introduce a new sevens structure in 2026 which will have a three-division regular season and an increased number of events in a bid to make it cost-effective and more competitive, the sport's governing body said on Thursday. The updated model will expand the calendar from 10 to 13 tournaments starting next year, with the primary aim of the overhaul being to boost rugby sevens' global reach ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics. The season will conclude with three high-profile World Championship Series events, each featuring 12 men's and women's teams, to crown the annual world champions. Rugby sevens was played at the Olympics for the first time at the 2016 Rio Games, with both men's and women's contests. World Rugby Sevens General Manager Sam Pinder said that 10 million pounds ($13.28 million) will be invested annually to grow the game, with a large proportion allocated to team participation fees. "While change can be difficult, this is an evolution that ultimately secures the sustainable advancement of a sport that has proven to be a hit at the Olympic Games, showcasing some of the most gifted athletes on the planet," he said. ($1 = 0.7530 pounds) (Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk and Rohith NairEditing by Toby Davis)
RTÉ News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
World Rugby set to overhaul sevens structure next year
World Rugby will introduce a new sevens structure in 2026 which will have a three-division regular season and an increased number of events in a bid to make it cost-effective and more competitive, the sport's governing body said on Thursday. The updated model will expand the calendar from 10 to 13 tournaments starting next year, with the primary aim of the overhaul being to boost rugby sevens' global reach ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics. The season will conclude with three high-profile World Championship Series events, each featuring 12 men's and women's teams, to crown the annual world champions. Rugby sevens was played at the Olympics for the first time at the 2016 Rio Games, with both men's and women's contests. It also featured at Paris 2024, with both Ireland's men's and women's sides involved. World Rugby Sevens General Manager Sam Pinder said that £10 million (€11.8m) will be invested annually to grow the game, with a large proportion allocated to team participation fees. "While change can be difficult, this is an evolution that ultimately secures the sustainable advancement of a sport that has proven to be a hit at the Olympic Games, showcasing some of the most gifted athletes on the planet," he said.
CNA
01-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
World Rugby announces overhaul of sevens structure
World Rugby will introduce a new sevens structure in 2026 which will have a three-division regular season and an increased number of events in a bid to make it cost-effective and more competitive, the sport's governing body said on Thursday. The updated model will expand the calendar from 10 to 13 tournaments starting next year, with the primary aim of the overhaul being to boost rugby sevens' global reach ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics. The season will conclude with three high-profile World Championship Series events, each featuring 12 men's and women's teams, to crown the annual world champions. Rugby sevens was played at the Olympics for the first time at the 2016 Rio Games, with both men's and women's contests. World Rugby Sevens General Manager Sam Pinder said that 10 million pounds ($13.28 million) will be invested annually to grow the game, with a large proportion allocated to team participation fees. "While change can be difficult, this is an evolution that ultimately secures the sustainable advancement of a sport that has proven to be a hit at the Olympic Games, showcasing some of the most gifted athletes on the planet," he said. ($1 = 0.7530 pounds)
