World Rugby has announced that the Sevens Series will be remodelled in December 2023 to include seven rounds, in seven iconic destinations and a reduced number of men’s teams.

The new model of the Sevens World Series will include seven festival style events, in seven iconic global destinations, across seven months, starting in December 2023 and running through until June 2024.

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The men’s Series will reduce from 16 to 12 teams, aligning with the Olympic competition model and bringing the number of men’s and women’s teams even.

An annual ‘Grand Finale’ event will take place in the seventh and final round, which will see the top eight ranked teams after six rounds compete to be crowned Series champions.

Meanwhile, while the teams ranked ninth to 12th will join the top four ranked teams from the Challenger Series in a high-stakes relegation play-off competition which will see four teams secure their places in the next edition of the Series.

In another ground-breaking development, men’s and women’s teams will receive equal participation fees, with a 70 per cent uplift in World Rugby’s investment in participation fees in the new model.

Discussions are ongoing with potential host destinations, following unprecedented hosting interest. Confirmed hosts, competition dates and a new brand identity will be announced in the coming months.

The ongoing World Sevens Series will continue as scheduled with the next pair of rounds taking place in Dubai on 2-3 December, followed by Cape Town on 9-11 December.

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