World Rugby has confirmed an evolved HSBC SVNS competition model designed to deliver long-term financial sustainability and grow the global reach of rugby sevens in the lead-up to the LA 2028 Olympics. Designed to bring fans closer to the action than ever before, the refreshed three-tier structure promises more high-stakes clashes, more rising stars, and more world-class sevens rugby across the globe with the opportunity for teams to progress from regional competition to the top-level HSBC SVNS 1 within a year.
- New three-level SVNS model designed to tackle shifting media and sports trends, enhancing appeal for fans and hosts
- Clearer, faster pathway from regional competition to SVNS World Championship Series within a single season, with an expanded 13-tournament calendar from 2026
- Integrated tournaments with equal participation fees and representation for men’s and women’s teams
Three tiers of competition: HSBC SVNS 3, HSBC SVNS 2, HSBC SVNS Series and HSBC SVNS World Championship.
SVNS World Championship: Hong Kong, Valladolid, Bordeaux
SVNS Series: Dubai, Cape Town, Singapore, Perth, Vancouver, New York
SVNS 2: Nairobi, Montevideo, São Paulo
SVNS 3: Dubai
HSBC SVNS World Championship
The HSBC SVNS World Championship is the final stage of the 2026 season, played across three tournaments and featuring 24 teams - 12 women’s and 12 men’s.
Format: Each competition includes 12 teams, made up of eight core teams from the HSBC SVNS Series and four qualifiers from HSBC SVNS 2. These teams compete across three consecutive three-day tournaments, with performances across all events determining the overall World Champions, as well as promotion and relegation for the next season.
The Championship begins in Hong Kong at the iconic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, before moving to Europe for a double-header finale. Valladolid (Spain) will host the second event from 29–31 May, followed by the final tournament in Bordeaux (France) from 5–7 June, where the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Champions will be crowned.
HSBC SVNS Series
Across these six iconic global destinations – Dubai, Cape Town, Singapore, Perth, Vancouver and New York - the world’s best sevens teams will go head-to-head in high-intensity, two-day tournaments that showcase the sport at its fastest and most dynamic. Fans can look forward to fast-paced action, fierce competition, and an unforgettable live experience at every stop on the SVNS Series.
The participating teams in 2026 HSBC SVNS Series are:
Women's teams: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
Men's teams: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
HSBC SVNS 2
HSBC SVNS 2 will take place in February and March 2026, with events hosted in Nairobi, Montevideo and Sao Paulo. Across HSBC SVNS 2, the top four men’s and women’s teams will earn promotion to the elite HSBC SVNS World Championship Series. This winner-takes-all series will see 24 teams (12 men’s and 12 women’s) compete at prestigious stops in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.
Nairobi: 14-15 Feb 2026
Montevideo: 21-22 Mar 2026
Sao Paulo: 28-29 Mar 2026
The participating teams in HSBC SVNS 2 are:
Women’s teams: Argentina, Brazil, China, Kenya, South Africa, Spain,
Men's teams: Belgium, Canada, Germany, Kenya, USA, Uruguay
HSBC SVNS 3
The inaugural SVNS 3 Series 2026 took place in Dubai on 17-18 January.
The participating teams in HSBC SVNS 3 are:
Women’s teams: Argentina, Colombia, Czechia, Mexico, Poland, Samoa, South Africa and Thailand.
Men’s teams: Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong China, Italy, Madagascar, Samoa and Tonga
Following an action-packed weekend, South Africa women and Canada men become champions. Both teams secured promotion into the HSBC SVNS 2 series alongside Argentina (women) and Belgium (men) as runners up.
A full rundown of the weekends action can be found here.