World Rugby Sevens Series 2023-24 opener in Dubai: Live schedule and how to watch top players
The revamped SVNS series begins 2-3 December, with full parity between the men's and women's teams for the first time. These are the players to watch out for.
Rugby Sevens
The revamped 2023-2024 World Rugby Sevens Series, also known as SVNS, will begin in Dubai from 2-3 December 2023.
Some adaptations for this year will see the total number of men's teams reduced from 16 to 12, bringing it in line with the women's series and the Paris 2024 Olympics format.
This also means that for the first time ever, every event will feature a men's and women's tournament with equal participation fees.
There will be eight stops on the circuit, culminating with a Grand Final where the top eight-ranked teams will lock horns in Madrid, Spain, 31 May-2 June 2024.
The teams ranked from 9-12 will compete in a high stakes promotion and relegation play-off on Grand Final weekend against the top-four ranked teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger. The top-four finishers will secure their place in the 2024-25 series.
Below, we take a look at the schedule for Dubai and how to watch the top rugby sevens players in action in the UAE.
Teams and players to watch in 2023-24 SVNS series
On the women's side, reigning series champions New Zealand will once again be the team to beat.
Despite World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Tyla Nathan-Wong missing the first two tournaments due to her rugby league commitments, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallists are blessed with other attacking talent like Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Risi Pouri-Lane.
Rio 2016 Olympic champions and last season's runners up Australia, who have a very experienced roster to call up on like series legends Charlotte Caslick, Maddison Levi, and Sharni Williams.
France will have their former star Shannon Izar back from injury, while USA talisman Ilona Maher is set for another starring role.
New Zealand also claimed the men's title last year, and will look to top point-scorer Akuila Rokolisoa to continue where he left off.
Elsewhere, Argentina will look to their flying winger Marcos Moneta to set their backline alight, while Rosko Specman is back to try and reverse the fortunes of South Africa.
Finally, keep an eye out for men's double Olympic champions Fiji, who boast the likes of Waisea Nacuqu and Filipe Sauturaga - third and sixth respectively in last year's points leaderboard.
No Paris 2024 qualification berths available
The results of the 2023-24 World Rugby Sevens Series will not contribute towards qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The top four finishers from last season's series log secured automatic qualification to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
On the women's side, that includes New Zealand, Australia, USA, and Ireland (who qualified in fifth as fourth-placed France are guaranteed a place as hosts).
Other sides that have secured one of the 12 places are continental champions Brazil, Great Britain, Canada, South Africa, Fiji, and Japan.
The final berth will go to the winner of the 2024 Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Monaco, June 2024, contested by two runners-up from each of the six continental events.
On the men's side, New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, and Australia secured their place at Paris 2024 thanks to a top-four finish in the 2022-23 series, while France gained a place automatically.
The continental qualifiers are Uruguay, Ireland, USA, Kenya, Samoa, and Japan, with the final qualification berth yet to be determined.
2023-24 World Rugby SVNS Dubai - Schedule
Saturday, 2 December
- 06:00 - 14:35 CET - Women's group matches
- 07:06 - 17:34 CET - Men's group matches
Sunday, 3 December
- 06:30 - 16:13 CET - Women's knockout and play-off matches
- 07:58 - 16:53 CET - Men's knockout and play-off matches
How to watch Rugby Seven Series in Dubai
The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series live stream online here and through the official App.
Details on how to watch the action in your territory on TV can be found here.