A groundbreaking rugby sevens tournament, the Ultimate Sevens Championship, is set to launch in September, aiming to replicate the success of cricket's Hundred in attracting a younger audience. The competition will feature six men's and six women's teams, with a total player salary budget of £2 million. Events will take place in Spain, Wales, and France, culminating in a grand final at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium in west London on 24 September.
Innovative Format and Global Appeal
The tournament has secured commitments from the top 75 players on the world sevens circuit, representing six global regions: England, the Celtic nations, France, Oceania, North America, and South America/Spain. Notable players already signed include Australia's Henry Hutchison and England's Abbie Brown, who scored a try for Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics quarter-final against Fiji. The fast-paced concept, endorsed by World Rugby and major unions, aims to showcase sevens in a new light through an abbreviated one-day format.
Key Rule Changes
All matches will be sudden death, lasting just 10 minutes, with each team allowed one timeout per game instead of a traditional half-time break. Additional points can be earned by kicking conversions from wider positions, adding strategic jeopardy. Tom Mitchell, former GB Olympic men's sevens captain, believes these tweaks will enhance the spectacle. "It's a format which we think fits with the demand that exists today," he said. "That's what'll make this sing. Underpinning it is that these will be the best sevens players in the world."
Long-Term Vision
Barney Pascall, managing director of Ultimate Sevens, emphasised the tournament's sustainability: "We don't want to be a one-hit wonder, we're here to stay. Ultimate Sevens is about elevating rugby sevens as a sport to give its world-class players a global stage to perform on, as well as providing fans with an experience that is fast, bold and culturally relevant." While top 15s players are not currently targeted, Pascall hinted at future expansion, noting that the structure allows for big-money investors and box-office names to be tempted. A player draft is scheduled for July, with Reebok already confirmed as official kit partner.
The launch comes as the shortened form of rugby remains popular, highlighted by Antoine Dupont leading France to Olympic gold in 2024. The Ultimate Sevens Championship promises to invigorate the sport with its innovative approach, aiming to capture the excitement of sevens and bring it to a broader audience.
