Everything You Need To Know About The Sydney Sevens

It’s back, baby! After three years, the Sydney Sevens will return for an action-packed three days at Allianz Stadium. Whether you’re a die-hard rugby fan or not, you won’t want to miss a chance to cheer on our champions at rugby’s most exciting weekend this year.

What is Sydney Sevens ?

For those who aren’t sure what’s going on and why it’s special, the Sydney Sevens is a type of rugby, played in a shorter, more action-packed format. Unlike typical rugby, where teams of 15 play 80-minute matches, a Sydney Sevens match is made-up of seven-minute halves with teams of seven players each. The result? A fast-pace format that became so popular it made its Olympic debut at the 2016 summer games in Rio.

Is The Return To Sydney A Big Deal?

Yes! For the first time since 2020, Sydney will welcome the tournament back to Allianz stadium for a three-day spectacular of sport and fan festivities. After a three-year hiatus from our fair city, we can finally get back amongst some premium footy and non-stop entertainment at the biggest party weekend on the Rugby calendar. The HSBC Sydney Sevens tournament isn’t just a hoot for rugby-lovers either. There’s plenty of non-sporting fun to be had via the fancy dress tradition and great live music acts.

Do People Really Dress Up At The Sydney Sevens?

One of the reasons it’s way better to catch a sevens rugby match in-person as opposed to on-screen is that it’s a tradition to attend the tournament in fancy dress. Yep, rugby fans are known to get pretty creative in their celebrations, donning outrageous costumes for the day’s festivities.

For a sporting comp, the Sydney Sevens certainly has a carnival spirit. It’s a one-of-a-kind festival to be enjoyed by sporting die-hards and newbies alike.

Who Is Playing At The Sydney Sevens?

7s are played by both men and women from competing nations across the world.

The Sydney Sevens in 2023 will welcome teams from 18 countries, with 16 male and 12 female teams.

You definitely won’t want to miss a chance to see the reigning world champions in action, particularly the Australian women’s side, who are current HSBC comp leaders and reigning World Cup champions. 

There's a mix of reserve and premium ticket options available, plus family passes—juniors are also cheaper, with tickets for kids starting from $10. Plus, you can also nab one of the hospitality packages, including box seating, private bar access and various menu and catering options. Hey, if you can get the crew together, why not enjoy the Sydney Sevens in style?

The Details

What: Sydney Sevens 
When: Friday, 27 January to Sunday, 29 January
Where: Allianz Stadium 
Cost: One-day pass from $15 (Friday) or from $40 (Saturday or Sunday), a weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) from $60, or a three-day pass from $70
Getting There: To make traveling to and from the event easy for you: all Single, 2-Day and 3-Day passes to Sydney Sevens include return public transport via most train, bus, ferry and light rail services. Head here for more details.

Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Sydney Sevens. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.

Image credit: Supplied