World Rugby: a redesign of the HSBC Sevens World Series format from 2023

World Rugby is restructuring the HSBC Sevens World Series, which is expected to "grow fans and revenues" for the international rugby sevens circuit, announced the body on 30/11/2022. The new format, which "will include seven festival style events, in seven iconic global destinations, across seven months" will begin in December 2023.

"The Series will fully embrace gender parity with all seven rounds featuring combined men's and women's events. Following consultation with the participating nations, the men's Series will reduce from 16 to 12 teams, aligning with the Olympic competition model. Men's and women's teams will receive equal participation fees, with a 70% uplift in World Rugby’s investment in participation fees in the new model," explained the rugby body. Four men's and women's teams will also have the opportunity to be promoted from the Challenger Series (2^nd division) via a dedicated tournament.

The redesign of the competition aims to "attract a younger, more diverse and global fanbase while generating greater revenues to reinvest in players and teams. Confirmed hosts…