Everything you need to know in the lead up to Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 2024

This year the tournament will also be celebrating its 30th anniversary as well as its final year at the infamous Hong Kong Stadium. Next year, Hong Kong Rugby Sevens moves to a brand new stadium currently under construction at Kai Tak.

Main sponsors Cathay Pacific and HSBC continue their support for the premier sporting event this year. Hong Kong Rugby Sevens has long been the centrepiece of the city’s sporting calendar and the premier event in the annual worldwide Rugby Sevens tournament. The first Rothmans-Cathay Pacific International Sevens-a-Side Championship was held in March 1976 and hosted by Hong Kong Football Club. Participating countries at this inaugural event included Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and Tonga, with Hong Kong as the Home Team. The hugely popular event moved to Hong Kong Stadium in 1982.

Despite the cancellations and rescheduling of Sevens over the last three years, according to organisers, this year’s tournament is on track to be a sell-out event.

“The tournament is on track to return to its pre-pandemic sell-out status and we are confident to bid the Stadium a good farewell with another weekend of Hong Kong Sevens magic,” said Hong Kong China Rugby chief executive officer, Robbie McRobbie. “A return to a full house also highlights Hong Kong’s return as one of Asia’s top tourism and events destinations, a position that the Sevens has contributed to throughout the decades,” he said.

As well as plenty of rugby action, there will also be live entertainment from reggae band The Wailers, Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda, ex-England international star DJ James Haskell, Hong Kong singer Celine Tam and Cantopop group Lolly Talk.

As always, the event will be supported by a plethora of lunches, brunches, drinks and dinner events around the city, organised by consulates, societies, charities and local rugby clubs. Also watch out for Hong Kong Football Club 10s and Kowloon RugbyFest 10s tournaments.

Carlsberg, the official beer brand of Hong Kong Sevens, will be hosting a giant inflatable dartboard and inviting spectators to watch Liverpool FC legends David James and Sami Hyypia compete against Hong Kong China Rugby team stars Max Woodward and Kyle Sullivan. 

Along with plenty of jugs of beer, Carlsberg will also be introducing Carlsberg 0.0 to spectators this year, a low-calorie and alcohol-free alternative to regular beer.

As for the action on the field, the pools for the men’s games have been drawn, placing France at the top of Pool A, along with Fiji, Australia and Canada. Great Britain leads Pool B, with Argentina, USA and New Zealand. Pool C is headed up by Ireland, with Spain, Samoa and South Africa.

Of the 12 women’s teams, New Zealand, France, Brazil and Great Britain find themselves in Pool A, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and Fiji in Pool B and USA, Canada, Japan and Spain in Pool C.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, will be competing for the Melrose Claymores Cup, a competition showcasing the top teams in Asia.

Gates at Hong Kong Stadium open at 7.30am on Friday April 5. An adult three-day ticket includes 74 matches from 30 teams plus live music and costs HK$1,950. Children’s tickets for fans aged 12 years and under cost HK$950.

Visit the official website for more information.