The Hong Kong Sevens event is known for its party atmosphere in the stands as much as for its entertainment on the pitch. It forms part of the Rugby Sevens World Series.
The Hong Kong Sevens event is known for its party atmosphere in the stands as much as for its entertainment on the pitch. It forms part of the Rugby Sevens World Series.
LAURENT FIEVET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dating back over 40 years ago, it is one of the most iconic events on the rugby calendar, with everyone -- even the referees (pictured) -- willing to embrace the tournament's festive spirit.
1989 —
Dating back over 40 years ago, it is one of the most iconic events on the rugby calendar, with everyone -- even the referees (pictured) -- willing to embrace the tournament's festive spirit.
Russell Cheyne/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Those novelty sunglasses won't always be needed -- the weather can be unpredictable, with heavy rain often the forecast across the three-day event.
1992 —
Those novelty sunglasses won't always be needed -- the weather can be unpredictable, with heavy rain often the forecast across the three-day event.
Simon Bruty/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
... but the fans are willing to dress accordingly.
1992 —
... but the fans are willing to dress accordingly.
Simon Bruty/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The crowd at the competition routinely tops 120,000 over the three days.
2001 —
The crowd at the competition routinely tops 120,000 over the three days.
Nick Wilson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The 40,000-seater Hong Kong Stadium is regularly at full capacity. <br />
2001 —
The 40,000-seater Hong Kong Stadium is regularly at full capacity.
David Rogers/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
With the addition of a qualifying event, Hong Kong is the largest leg of the series with 28 teams competing over the weekend.
2001 —
With the addition of a qualifying event, Hong Kong is the largest leg of the series with 28 teams competing over the weekend.
Nick Wilson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hong Kong's party atmosphere has set a precedent for other World Series tournaments, most notably <a >London</a> and <a >Las Vegas</a>.
2004 —
Hong Kong's party atmosphere has set a precedent for other World Series tournaments, most notably London and Las Vegas.
MIKE CLARKE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
It's the seventh leg of the 10-tournament series, which takes place across six months.
2004 —
It's the seventh leg of the 10-tournament series, which takes place across six months.
MIKE CLARKE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
This season's championship, which started in Dubai in November, concludes in Paris in June.
2006 —
This season's championship, which started in Dubai in November, concludes in Paris in June.
SAMANTHA SIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fijian sevens legend Waisele Serevi, who competed at the Hong Kong Sevens on a number of occasions, told CNN that "I start to get goosebumps when you talk about the atmosphere in Hong Kong."
2007 —
Fijian sevens legend Waisele Serevi, who competed at the Hong Kong Sevens on a number of occasions, told CNN that "I start to get goosebumps when you talk about the atmosphere in Hong Kong."
Andrew Wong/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
He said that the crowd "gives you more energy. Even when you are tired, it gives you more energy."
2008 —
He said that the crowd "gives you more energy. Even when you are tired, it gives you more energy."
LAURENT FIEVET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
"Even if you have some pain, or knee injury or arm injury, whatever ... when you hear the people shouting when you are running onto the field you feel a lot of energy -- you want to perform," says Serevi.
2009 —
"Even if you have some pain, or knee injury or arm injury, whatever ... when you hear the people shouting when you are running onto the field you feel a lot of energy -- you want to perform," says Serevi.
Victor Fraile/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Throughout the years, the array of outfits have never failed to disappoint.
2012 —
Throughout the years, the array of outfits have never failed to disappoint.
ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
With everything from the classic superhero costumes...
2012 —
With everything from the classic superhero costumes...
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
To the outright weird.
2014 —
To the outright weird.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fiji has won the tournament more than any other nation, including the four most recent editions.
2016 —
Fiji has won the tournament more than any other nation, including the four most recent editions.
ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hong Kong Sevens: Rugby fans through the decades

Story highlights

More events added to women's sevens series

Men's series retains the same structure

Sevens saw big audience growth last year

CNN  — 

Next season is set to be the biggest yet for the sport of rugby sevens, with new tournaments added to the annual championship.

The women’s World Rugby Sevens Series is being expanded to include eight tournaments for the first time ever, with Dubai, Cape Town, New Zealand, Sydney, Paris, and Hong Kong – the latter traditionally seen as the competition’s premier destination – all running parallel events for men and women.

Glendale, Colorado, and Langford, British Columbia, will both remain as standalone events in the women’s competition, while the men’s championship will retain the same 10-tournament structure for at least the next four years.

The host cities will remain the same for the men’s series, except for the US leg of the tour – which has been well-attended in Las Vegas for the past decade – where the location for future events is yet to be announced.

More than 749,800 fans attended sevens tournaments around the world last season – the shortened, fast-paced cousin of 15-aside rugby – with the sport also boasting a live broadcast viewership of 12.6 million in 2017-18.

READ: Jason Momoa on why he ‘bleeds’ All Blacks

The ever-increasing popularity of the Las Vegas Sevens is helping rugby to become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States.
The ever-increasing popularity of the Las Vegas Sevens is helping rugby to become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/file
The Las Vegas Sevens is always a fan favorite, but the two recent editions have been particularly special with <a href="https://www.chinalucky8.com/2019/03/04/sport/rugby-sevens-las-vegas-usa-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">USA winning back-to-back title</a>.
The Las Vegas Sevens is always a fan favorite, but the two recent editions have been particularly special with USA winning back-to-back title.
Brandon Magnus /Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The 2017 event attracted record crowds to Sam Boyd Stadium for the seventh consecutive year with an attendance of 80,691 across the three days.
The 2017 event attracted record crowds to Sam Boyd Stadium for the seventh consecutive year with an attendance of 80,691 across the three days.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/file
Like many sevens events around the world, Vegas inspires a party atmosphere with spectators coming in fancy dress.
Like many sevens events around the world, Vegas inspires a party atmosphere with spectators coming in fancy dress.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The 2017 attendance was a slim increase on the previous year, which brought in 80,138, including these fans dressed as Elvis Presley.
The 2017 attendance was a slim increase on the previous year, which brought in 80,138, including these fans dressed as Elvis Presley.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
The USA has enjoyed its best start to a sevens season this year, finishing runner-up at the first four tournaments.
The USA has enjoyed its best start to a sevens season this year, finishing runner-up at the first four tournaments.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Over 100,000 fans attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, the best-attended rugby event ever in the USA.
Over 100,000 fans attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, the best-attended rugby event ever in the USA.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In common with rugby's US sports rivals, cheerleaders play a big part in the entertainment schedule at Vegas -- which over the years has included Cirque Du Soleil and fighter jets. Here members of the USA Sevens Sweethearts perform during the 2015 tournament.
In common with rugby's US sports rivals, cheerleaders play a big part in the entertainment schedule at Vegas -- which over the years has included Cirque Du Soleil and fighter jets. Here members of the USA Sevens Sweethearts perform during the 2015 tournament.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/file
The 2016 tournament was broadcast on NBC and its Sports Network. It reportedly reached national and international audiences in over 400 million homes and 147 countries. Here a Samoan rugby fan supports his team in 2016.
The 2016 tournament was broadcast on NBC and its Sports Network. It reportedly reached national and international audiences in over 400 million homes and 147 countries. Here a Samoan rugby fan supports his team in 2016.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
A security guard chases a costumed fan after she ran on the pitch during the 2015 Cup Final match between Fiji and New Zealand.
A security guard chases a costumed fan after she ran on the pitch during the 2015 Cup Final match between Fiji and New Zealand.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/file
It required two guards to finally bring the woman to the ground.
It required two guards to finally bring the woman to the ground.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Security was busy that day, as this fan also invaded the pitch before Fiji beat New Zealand. It was the All Blacks' fourth successive defeat in Vegas finals.
Security was busy that day, as this fan also invaded the pitch before Fiji beat New Zealand. It was the All Blacks' fourth successive defeat in Vegas finals.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/file
This fan also took center stage during a 2014 match between the US and Spain.
This fan also took center stage during a 2014 match between the US and Spain.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/file
Players get close to the crowds in Vegas. Here members of the Canadian team pose with fans following a 2014 match against Samoa.
Players get close to the crowds in Vegas. Here members of the Canadian team pose with fans following a 2014 match against Samoa.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
US speedster Carlin Isles, who bagged a try in the 2018 final, is popular with the home supporters. Here he wears a cheese hat at the request of a fan taking his photo after a 2014 game.
US speedster Carlin Isles, who bagged a try in the 2018 final, is popular with the home supporters. Here he wears a cheese hat at the request of a fan taking his photo after a 2014 game.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Las Vegas Sevens: 72-hour party people

“This is an exciting time for sevens as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is set to break new ground with more combined rounds than ever before on the circuit, as Cape Town, Hamilton and Hong Kong welcome women’s world series teams for the first time,” said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.

“We are delighted to see the women’s series expand to eight rounds over the next four-year cycle, an historic move that will provide more high quality competitive international playing opportunities for women’s sevens teams.

“Since the men’s series’ expansion to 10 rounds in 2015, we have seen the competition become increasingly competitive on the pitch from a team perspective while also continuing to grow in popularity among global audiences.

“We are looking forward to seeing continued growth and evolution of the world series in each territory over the next four years.”

Olympic inclusion at the Rio Games has also benefited the growth of sevens, with teams this season vying for qualification at Tokyo 2020.

Over 100,000 fans attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.
Over 100,000 fans attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The World Rugby Sevens Series will have another round for the women's competition in 2019 -- in Glendale, Colorado.
The World Rugby Sevens Series will have another round for the women's competition in 2019 -- in Glendale, Colorado.
MARK EVANS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The men's series kicks off at the end of November in Dubai.
The men's series kicks off at the end of November in Dubai.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The next stop is Cape Town. South Africa is the defending champion after pipping Fiji for the title in the 10-round series.
The next stop is Cape Town. South Africa is the defending champion after pipping Fiji for the title in the 10-round series.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The event then moves to Hamilton in New Zealand.
The event then moves to Hamilton in New Zealand.
Fiona Goodall/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Australia is the defending women's champion.
Australia is the defending women's champion.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
The Las Vegas and Hong Kong legs are the only three-day events.
The Las Vegas and Hong Kong legs are the only three-day events.
Brandon Magnus /Getty Images North America/Getty Images
In May, the women's tour arrives in Langford, Canada.
In May, the women's tour arrives in Langford, Canada.
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The Hong Kong sevens has established a reputation for its vibrant fan atmosphere.
The Hong Kong sevens has established a reputation for its vibrant fan atmosphere.
Power Sport Images/Getty Images for HSBC
Singapore's National Stadium has a 55,000 capacity.
Singapore's National Stadium has a 55,000 capacity.
Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
The 2019 series also welcomes Japan, who secured a place by winning the Hong Kong qualifier in April.
The 2019 series also welcomes Japan, who secured a place by winning the Hong Kong qualifier in April.
David Rogers/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
The penultimate destination is Twickenham in London.
The penultimate destination is Twickenham in London.
Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The series comes to a close for both men and women in Paris, France.
The series comes to a close for both men and women in Paris, France.
ISAAC LAWRENCE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Rugby sevens destinations through the eyes of fans

READ: England rugby sevens teams under threat amid cost cuts

USA currently leads the men’s series with four tournaments remaining having never previously won the overall championship.

New Zealand’s Black Ferns are unbeaten in the first three tournaments of the women’s series, meaning they are well-placed to win the title back from rival Australia when the season concludes in Paris.