Western Australia prepares to welcome the world’s elite sevens players as they leave the high-tech humidity of Singapore and land in Perth — a city that doesn’t just host a tournament but wraps it in a sun-drenched beach club embrace.
Over the last two seasons, the Perth leg has quickly become a favourite for players, particularly for those wearing gold and green as the tournament has been adopted as the home of Aussie 7s, with both women’s and men’s teams performing extremely well there.
But what, exactly, makes it an incredible week on — and off — the field?
HBF Park is an intimate boutique stadium in the heart of the city. While many sporting events chase the prestige of 50,000-seat arenas, Perth proves that bigger isn’t always better.
Some 20,000 fans fill the stadium each day. The atmosphere is electric, the noise and energy trapped inside the steep stands, and the front-row seats close enough to feel every collision and tackle.
Many players have said that the volume in the ground can make it difficult to communicate on the pitch, particularly when facing either of the home teams. But players love playing in smaller, packed stadiums.
When stadiums are this noisy, teams with the best understanding of their game plan and their teammates are rewarded heavily. So, it’s no surprise to see that both the Australian men’s and women’s teams have made both finals in the previous two editions. The Australian Women’s team won here last year.
The beach club vibe of the stands isn’t the only thing the players love to experience. The week leading up to the tournament allows teams to prepare to the highest level while also embracing all that Perth has to offer.
The team hotel is located next to the coast, which provides access to iconic beaches such as Cottesloe and Scarborough. This is perfect for daily sea-recovery sessions to flush the body and clear the mind after the gruelling weekend in Singapore. These active recovery sessions are important in cultivating team bonds, which are so important when play begins.
The seawater doesn’t just help the players recover but also gives welcome relief from the Western Australian summer heat, when it can get over 35 degrees. Luckily, there is a phenomenon called the ‘Fremantle Doctor’, which is the cooling afternoon breeze that blows up around 3pm every day.
But it’s not good news for everyone. While it helps later games more manageable from a physical perspective, it adds another level of difficulty for the kickers, who are looking to be pinpoint with their restarts and conversions.
In terms of non-rugby-related activities for the players, Perth has so many options. Fremantle — or Freo — has its “Cappuccino Strip” and is a favourite for mid-week coffee and card sessions, allowing players to escape the rugby bubble for a few hours.
Meanwhile, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the biggest inner-city parks in the world, serves as an awesome spot for the teams to take in the Perth Skyline.
Normally, teams have one full day off from tournament preparation, either on Wednesday or Thursday. On those days, you’ll normally find players heading 19km offshore to a car-free island called Rottnest.
The island boasts stunning beaches for snorkelling that you can cycle between. It offers a genuine chance to disconnect from rugby for a while. It also has the world-famous quokkas, the tiny marsupials famed for their cheesy grin.
These days, experiencing something new and different, were some of my favourites on tour. As a professional sevens player, you never see a place as if you were on holiday or travelling. But you do often get some special access to some unique locations with 11 of your mates.
So, as the Perth SVNS concludes its three-year run through 2026, its legacy is already set. It has become a destination that blends high-performance rugby with a genuine, sun-soaked festival.
The crowd will be hoping for another successful tournament for their home teams in Gold and Green but the atmosphere they create will provide an incredible sporting backdrop for every player.
In Perth, the series has found more than just a venue. It has found a soul that perfectly reflects the vibrant, all-action, and sun-drenched future of Rugby Sevens.