Rugby: HSBC SVNS returns to Cape Town in December 2025!

The Mother City will once again take centre stage on the global rugby sevens calendar! World Rugby has confirmed that Cape Town will host the HSBC SVNS 2026 Series from 06 to 07 December 2025, bringing high-energy international sevens action back to the spectacular Cape Town Stadium.

As one of only five returning destinations on the 2026 circuit - alongside Dubai, Singapore, Vancouver and Hong Kong - Cape Town remains a fan favourite for its breathtaking setting, electric atmosphere, and festival-style celebrations.

The HSBC SVNS Series represents the new era of rugby sevens: two action-packed days featuring both men’s and women’s teams, full gender parity, and an enhanced entertainment experience combining sport, music, and culture. Cape Town's leg follows the opening round in Dubai (29–30 November 2025), marking the second stop of the 2026 season.

Fans can expect thrilling matches from the world’s top rugby nations - including South Africa’s Blitzboks and Imbokodo - as well as live performances, themed fan zones, and a vibrant crowd celebrating rugby’s most exciting format.

With the city’s famous hospitality, stunning Table Mountain backdrop, and world-class facilities, the HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2025/26 promises to be one of the highlights of South Africa’s sporting calendar.

Travellers planning to attend are advised to book accommodation early, especially in Green Point, the V&A Waterfront, and Cape Town’s city centre, as hotels and guesthouses fill up fast during the event weekend.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Rugby: HSBC SVNS will be returning to Cape Town in December 2024!

World Rugby has confirmed the first five destinations and dates of the highly anticipated HSBC SVNS, an annual series of international rugby sevens tournaments featuring 12 men’s and women’s national sevens teams. These are Dubai, Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver and Hong Kong. Further host destinations will be confirmed shortly.
The HSBC SVNS 2024/2025 Series will kick-off at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai, which hosts the first round on 30 November - 01 December 2024. As in previous editions, the 24 teams then move on to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town the following weekend for the second round on 07 - 08 December 2024.
The HSBC SVNS will return to Perth for the third round on 24 - 26 January 2025. Vancouver then welcomes the event for the fourth round on 21 - 23 February 2025. The fifth round, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, is confirmed to take place on 28 - 30 March 2025 in Hong Kong.
Details on the remaining HSBC SVNS 2024/2025 events, including the Grand Final, will be confirmed in due course.

The women’s participating teams are: New Zealand, Australia, France, USA, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Great Britain, Japan, Brazil, Spain and China.

The men’s teams roster includes: Argentina, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, France, Fiji, South Africa, Great Britain, USA, Spain, Uruguay and Kenya.

Rugby: Cape Town set to host the HSBC SVNS, the new-look World Sevens Series! [update]

update (14 October 2023): HSBC SVNS Cape Town tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster!

World Rugby has announced that Cape Town in South Africa will be one of the host cities for the HSBC SVNS 2023/24, the revamped and rebranded global celebration of rugby sevens taking place across eight iconic cities. The HSBC SVNS festivals will feature 12 men's and women's teams chasing the ultimate prize, while also providing fans with a unique festival of sport, music, food and immersive experiences. Cape Town is set to reignite its love affair with the series on 09 and 10 December 2023 when the Cape Town Sevens makes its return to the DHL Stadium in Green Point.

"Cape Town's inclusion in the remodelled Sevens Series is a massive feather in our cap. Cape Town Sevens has been one of the flagship events hosted in our city for nearly a decade, has proven a popular event with record attendance every single year and provides the best live experience for spectators. The City of Cape Town has been supporting the event since it moved from Gqeberha to Cape Town and we are looking forward to continue our partnership with the organisers to ensure an exciting experience for spectators," said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.

Launching in December 2023, HSBC SVNS festivals will provide the annual platform for the world’s best sevens athletes to shine with 12 men’s and women’s teams sharing a global stage at the same location.

HBSC SVNS – Festival dates 2023/24:

• Dubai, UAE: 02 - 03 December 2023
• Cape Town, South Africa: 09 - 10 December 2023
• Perth, Australia: 26 - 28 January 2024
• Vancouver, Canada: 23 - 25 February 2024
• Los Angeles, USA: 02 - 03 March 2024
• Hong Kong SAR, China: 05 - 07 April 2024
• Singapore, Singapore: 03 - 05 May 2024
• Madrid, Spain: 31 May - 02 June 2024 

South Africa: The World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Cape Town! [update]

update (06 December 2022): Tickets to the HSBC Cape Town Sevens 2022 are available since 05 October 2022. They range from R150 to R825, depending on the day and location of the seats. Entry to the venue will not be honoured for tickets purchased from unauthorised ticket re-sellers such as Instaticket, GameDaySeats and Viagogo.

The World Rugby Sevens Series, an annual series of international rugby sevens tournaments run by World Rugby featuring national sevens teams, is set to return to Cape Town for the first time since 2019. According to the schedule of the Series, which was released on 31 May 2022, the ever-popular Cape Town Sevens will return to the DHL Stadium in the Mother City on the weekend of 09 - 11 December 2022. Ticket information for the event will be released in due course. We'll keep you posted!
The men’s World Rugby Sevens Series will include a record-equalling 11 rounds, uniquely featuring two events in Hong Kong, which is set to host the first round on 04 - 06 November 2022. The women’s Series involves a record seven rounds and will kick off in Dubai on 02 - 03 December 2022 in the first of four consecutive men’s and women’s combined events.
The competition will be intense from start to finish with the prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024  qualification on offer for the top four women’s and men’s teams in the 2023 Series standings.

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series schedule for the 2023 season:

• 04 - 06 November 2022: Hong Kong (men only)
• 02 - 03 December 2022: Dubai (combined)
• 09 - 11 December 2022: Cape Town (combined)
• 21 - 22 January 2023: Hamilton (combined)
• 27 - 29 January 2023: Sydney (combined)
• 25 - 26 February 2023: Los Angeles (men only)
• 03 - 05 March 2023: Vancouver (combined)
• 31 March - 02 April 2023: Hong Kong (combined)
• 08 - 09 April 2023: Singapore (men only)
• 12 - 14 May 2023: Toulouse (combined)
• 22 - 21 May 2023: London (men only)