Singapore opens prestigious global rugby competition, HSBC SVNS 2026

Singapore will kick off the 2026 season of the global Rugby Sevens competition, the HSBC SVNS, marking its return as a host city and, this time, the opening stage of one of rugby’s most recognisable international events. Taking place over a packed weekend at the National Stadium, the tournament places Singapore alongside established hosts such as Dubai, Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver and New York, reinforcing the city’s ambitions as a regional, and increasingly international, sporting hub.

Organised by World Rugby, the HSBC SVNS brings together the sport’s elite Sevens teams in a fast-paced format that has grown in global appeal, particularly since Sevens became an Olympic sport. While Singapore has featured on the circuit since 2024, opening the 2026 season carries added significance; as the first stop on the calendar, the city sets the tone for a series that will later culminate in championship events in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.

From 31st January to 1st February, this year’s event will see a trio of high-profile international rugby figures serving as Singapore’s ambassadors: New Zealand’s Black Ferns member Ruby Tui, an Olympic gold medallist; former Canada Seven’s captain, Nathan Hirayama, and former Fiji’s Sevens captain Jerry Tuwai, a two-time Olympic gold medallist. 

The opening match of the tournament is on the 31st of January between women’s teams of France and Canada, with the first men’s fixture occurring between France and New Zealand later the same day.

Running alongside the HSBC SVNS is the Southeast Asian 7s, an open invitational tournament hosted by the Singapore Rugby Union. Staged on the same weekend and at the same venue, the SEA 7s gives regional teams the opportunity to compete on a world-class pitch, and mingle with others competing in the global series. With this concurrent schedule, Southeast Asian rugby teams will get increased exposure and visibility of teams.

Additionally, there is a home storyline; Singapore Women’s Rugby 7s team enters the SEA 7s as the defending champion, having clinched the title last year. 

“We’re incredibly proud to host the 2026 SEA 7s in Singapore, a celebration of Southeast Asian rugby, teamwork, and community,” said Sidney Kumar, General Manager of Singapore Rugby Union. “Hosting the tournament here not only allows us to highlight our national teams and the shared commitment among ASEAN nations to grow the game together, it also provides our men and women’s 7s teams an opportunity to play the finals at the National Stadium. We look forward to welcoming teams, fans and families from across the region to the Lion City for a festival of fast, exciting rugby and friendship.”