A three-day global rugby festival is coming to Perth!

Ever wanted to go to a party where a sporting event breaks out?! Yes, you read that right!

That’s exactly what the HSBC SVNS is, and it’s headed to Perth over the upcoming January 26 long weekend in 2024.

The Perth fixtures are one of eight global legs in the new World Rugby Sevens Series (officially titled HSBC SVNS), where the world’s best male and female rugby sevens teams face off in rapid-fire games.

Beyond the world-class entertainment, it’s a major party/festival vibe, with attendees encouraged to dress up in costumes, while there’s sundowners in the Bathers Beach Club, plus a party stand, food markets and all day live music.

Get the lowdown below, and your tickets here.

What is Rugby SVNS?

It’s different to rugby league or rugby union – teams are seven-per-side with the game consisting of two seven-minute halves, hence the name. It’s played on the same size field as the other rugby codes, thus there’s heaps of space, meaning it’s full of high octane, exciting action, including lots of tries.

Teams will play numerous games per day, with the action non-stop given the seven-minute halves plus two-minute half-time breaks equates to games being completed in less than 20 minutes.

Who’s playing?

The 12 best male and female international teams will head to Perth for the long weekend. New Zealand are the reigning HSBC SVNS world champions in both men’s and women’s, plus 2020 Tokyo Olympics female gold medalists. Australia were last series’ female runners-up to NZ, with Maddison Levi their star player with 58 tries and both Australia’s men’s and women’s teams were Series champions in 2022. Australian legend and most-capped Wallabies Captain, Michael Hooper is also expected to make his sevens debut in Perth having joined the squad in a bid to make the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Among the other nations in action will be the ever-entertaining Fiji (double Olympics men’s gold medalists), Argentina, USA, South Africa, Samoa, France, Ireland and Great Britain. The 12 teams are split into three pools of four teams who play each other once, before knockouts start and a winner is determined across the weekend.

Where does Perth fit in?

The Perth leg is the third in the eight-leg global series, starting out in Dubai (December 2-3) and Cape Town (December 9-10), before legs in Vancouver, LA, Hong Kong and Singapore followed by the Grand Final in Madrid (May 31-June 2).

And you’re supposed to dress up?

You sure do – wear whatever you feel like! Some of the costumes get wacky but it all adds to the vibrant colour and festival feel of the weekend. Don your most fabulous attire, get those vocal cords ready, and prepare for an unforgettable day of rugby with added festival vibes. They say the Party Stand (the north end) is the best spot to soak up the fun!

When and where is it?

It’s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 26-28 January (the Australia Day long weekend) at HBF Park on Pier Street in Perth (the same place where the Western Force and Perth Glory play). The match schedule isn’t out yet, but typically the first games start late morning/midday and run well into the evening, making for a fantastic day out!

Where can I get tickets?

Tickets went on sale a few weeks ago from $35 per person. There’s a variety of options including general admission, reserved or next level experience in the hospitality spaces. Purchase yours at svns.com/en/events/perth/tickets.

Head to the HSBC SVNS website for more information.

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This article is sponsored by Rugby SVNS and endorsed by us. Please see our Editorial Policy for more info.