Los Angeles to host both Men’s and Women’s USA Sevens in reimagined era of HSBC SVNS

Los Angeles has been confirmed as one of the eight iconic destinations that comprise HSBC SVNS, World Rugby’s revamped and rebranded global celebration of rugby sevens launched today.

For the first time since 2017, and only the second time in history, both the Men’s and Women’s USA Rugby Sevens will compete together on US soil in front of friends, family and fans. Returning to Dignity Health Sports Park, March 2-3, 2024, HSBC SVNS looks to elevate the rugby experience, four short years ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics.

HSBC SVNS, World Rugby’s revamped and rebranded global celebration of rugby sevens across eight iconic cities has been launched as a rugby event, festival and a must-attend experience set in some of the world’s most exciting locations. With a bold ambition to supercharge rugby’s global reach and appeal by being more relevant and accessible to younger, leisure-hungry audiences, HSBC SVNS aims to deliver the ultimate in immersive experiences, a unique festival of sport, entertainment and culture set against stunning backdrops.

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.

All dates and venues correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

For the latest information on tickets, fans should visit the new SVNS.com to find out more.

Off the field, SVNS is all about summertime vibes. Sun-soaked days and unique experiences as rugby, music, food, and wellbeing combine to attract a new generation of audiences.

Celebrating cuisine and culture, each SVNS destination will celebrate its unique local flavor, adding to the overall excitement and enjoyment of the events across the globe.

There will also be a range of competitive and social sports for all at SVNS festivals, from non-contact rugby to functional fitness. Every event will deliver something unique.

Each event is designed to enable the world’s top players to be at their best. Following consultation with players, fans, broadcasters and unions, the competition format has been revamped with SVNS set to deliver even more drama, excitement and jeopardy.

The top eight placed teams, based on cumulative series points, at the conclusion of Singapore SVNS will secure their opportunity to compete in the new ‘winner takes all’ Grand Final in Madrid, where the women’s and men’s SVNS champions will be crowned.

The drama does not end there. Madrid will also play host to the high stakes relegation play-off competition where teams ranked ninth to 12th will join the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. The top four placed teams of this play-off will secure their place on next year's SVNS.

Under the new model, SVNS delivers gender parity with all seven rounds and the Grand Final featuring combined men’s and women’s competitions and equal participation fees, with a 70 per cent uplift in World Rugby’s investment in participation fees as a commitment to sustainable growth.

USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young said on the new sevens experience, “The growth of sevens, both globally and here in the United States, has been an extraordinary pathway and we’re thrilled to continue being a part of the trajectory here with the reimagined HSBC SVNS. Above all, the opportunity for both men’s and women’s teams to compete alongside one another in front of our home fans in Los Angeles. With the elevated experience and identity the HSBC SVNS will embark on in 2024, we’re excited for the teams and fans alike to come together for a fantastic weekend in rugby.”

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “We are excited to be launching HSBC SVNS, the supercharged new identity for our Olympic format, with iconic destinations and a new concept on and off the field, broadening the reach and appeal of the sport beyond its traditional audiences.

“Our ambition is for SVNS to be at the forefront of our growth strategy, appealing to a younger, leisure-hungry audience. In eight iconic destinations played over seven months, we will bring together a truly immersive festival of rugby, music, food and experiences to create the ultimate weekend-long get together for young people, the hottest ticket and open a new era for the sport.

“For the first time in rugby sevens history, all locations will be unified under the same approach, meaning that the overall experience is the same and we can optimize commercial revenue for reinvestment, including playing our part in ensuring that sevens is a viable career path for the talented players and Olympians.

“We are delighted to be extending our long-standing and impactful title partnership with HSBC. They share our passion to grow the sport in new nations and communities and have played an instrumental role in advancing the reach and success of the sport, particularly at the community game level. We are excited by the opportunity we have in front of us to work with HSBC to take SVNS to the next level.”

USA Women’s Sevens Head Coach, Emilie Bydwell added, “Our team is so excited to be a part of this reimagined series. The women’s game in particular has really gone from strength to strength since the Rio Olympics, and with this increase in investment, support and visibility we can’t wait to see where it goes next. With such a big year coming our way, we are excited to use the HSBC SVNS to grow and celebrate all the moments at each stage of the journey. One moment for us that will be incredibly special this year, is when we get to bring “The Highwomen” home to LA and play in front of a home crowd in a World Rugby event for the first time in five years. Having the chance to engage with our fans, play in front of our families, and demonstrate our American brand of rugby in LA will definitely be a highlight, and something we are looking forward to.”

USA Men’s Sevens Head Coach, Mike Friday, said, “It’s an exciting evolution to the sevens series and this new 12 team format on the Men’s side will only make it more competitive and ruthless with each and every game, now having intensity and real effect on outcome. The ultimate is gladiatorial sport! We very much look forward to being a part of that building towards Paris 2024. However, before the HSBC SVNS, we are fully focused as a squad on the RAN Olympic qualifier in late August where we are looking to earn our ticket to Paris 2024.”

HSBC Ambassador and former USA 7s captain, Abby Gustaitis added: “Having recently come to the end of my HSBC SVNS playing career, I am so delighted that the next generation of female sevens players will be part of a series that is completely equal in terms of schedule and pay. HSBC has been a huge supporter of the growth of the women’s game and today’s announcement is a huge step in making rugby a sport that is fully equal for all.”

Continuing 12 years of passionate support of rugby sevens, HSBC has been confirmed as SVNS title partner in a four-year deal. The renewal is a continuation of a hugely successful long-term partnership between HSBC and World Rugby that has created opportunities for players and fans all over the world. Alongside World Rugby, HSBC has been committed to the future of the women’s rugby and has helped 558,962 young people pick up a rugby ball through grassroots programs.

HSBC Group Chief Executive, Noel Quinn said: “Through many years of working closely with World Rugby to showcase and support the sport around the world, HSBC has become synonymous with the World Rugby Sevens. I’m particularly proud of the new opportunities that we have helped to open up by taking the sport into new markets, supporting the growth of the women’s game and giving tens of thousands of young people the chance to try rugby for the first time. I’m delighted that our hugely successful partnership with World Rugby will continue for years to come, and that HSBC will be able to help the sport reach even greater heights.”

• Iconic festivals: SVNS will dial up its culture and entertainment offering at each destination, with food and drinks to match the local flavors, a range of competitive and social sports to get involved in, everything about SVNS will give you that feel-good factor, from sunrise to sunset.
• Equal share of the spotlight: Fully combined and equal men’s and women’s festivals with number of men’s teams reduced from 16 to 12, aligning with the Olympic competition model.
• Jeopardy right to the end: Annual ‘Grand Final’ will crown SVNS champions and offer pathway opportunity for four men’s and women’s teams to achieve promotion from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series
• Promotion and relegation reimagined: The teams ranked ninth to 12th will join the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in a high stakes relegation play-off competition which will see the top four teams secure their places in the next edition of SVNS.
• Opportunity for all: The four unsuccessful teams will go into regional competitions to qualify for the next Challenger Series, which comprises of 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams competing in the second level of international rugby sevens.
• Be there: HSBC SVNS 2024 gets underway in Dubai, UAE on 2-3 December, 2023 and serves as a crucial build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For more information on SVNS destinations and tickets, visit SVNS.com