HK Sevens 2023 Live Stream: The Hong Kong Sevens Rugby 7s Live Stream theme in 2023 is Play On!, and rugby fans across the city (and the globe) are set to come out and play to see the 28 international 7s teams, including the home national 7 men and women together for the first time in history play at the Hong Kong Stadium.
In addition, the commercial sponsors and HSBC Sport often hold additional events and Brian Hui, Head of Customer Propositions and Marketing, Wealth and Personal Banking, Hong Kong, HSBC, said: “HSBC has been a proud sponsor of the Hong Kong Sevens for decades. This 46th edition is another step forward for Hong Kong after an easing of pandemic restrictions freed it to cast off the surgical masks and Covid tests of its relaunch last November. Perhaps more striking still will be the strides taken for women’s rugby.
The tournament has always had a very special place in our corporate calendar. With quarantine-free travel and relaxation of most COVID measures, our global leaders will convene in Hong Kong this March and celebrate our international connections with customers. We look forward to experiencing a bigger and better Hong Kong Sevens in 2023.”
Hong Kong’s rugby teams and Minis will once again hold their traditional march past, while “Buddy Rugby”, which brings together students from mainstream and special education schools using rugby & dance – “to break down prejudice and build understanding and friendship” as the HKRU Community Foundation supported programme marks its fifth anniversary in 2023.
The HKRU Hysan 7s Youth Tournament Finals (Girls & Boys) are also due to be played at the HK Stadium on Friday 31st March 10-12 PM. The HKRU said “Each team in the final has earned the right to play at the Hong Kong Stadium during the HK7s weekend. This is a massive opportunity for all players to showcase their talent.”
With over 35,000 spectators anticipated on day one and 30,000-plus on days two and three – most of them locals – Hong Kong Stadium is set to give full voice to that sentiment, as the world’s most revered sevens tournament reassumes its traditional spring slot.
Women have been playing in the Hong Kong Sevens since 1997, but this year have 12 teams involved alongside 16 men’s sides as the city stages its first HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series event. The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will continue to make up for its lost years when it takes place for a second time in five months this Friday to Sunday.
With over 35,000 spectators anticipated on day one and 30,000-plus on days two and three – most of them locals – Hong Kong Stadium is set to give full voice to that sentiment, as the world’s most revered sevens tournament reassumes its traditional spring slot.
This 46th edition is another step forward for Hong Kong after an easing of pandemic restrictions freed it to cast off the surgical masks and Covid tests of its relaunch last November. Perhaps more striking still will be the strides taken for women’s rugby.
Women have been playing in the Hong Kong Sevens since 1997, but this year have 12 teams involved alongside 16 men’s sides as the city stages its first HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series event.
Mini and junior rugby, meanwhile, will have their days in the sun – or perhaps Friday’s forecast showers – for the first time since 2019. Back, too, is the march-past, on Saturday afternoon. All of which have helped to push ticket sales towards the ground’s 40,000 capacity and ensure hospitality space is close to fully snapped up.
It remains to be seen how hospitable women’s pool A proves for the home team. They can expect a hot reception from Great Britain, Canada and, most of all, Series leaders New Zealand, who dominate the women’s game. Australia should push their trans-Tasman rivals all the way this weekend.
A last-play try by Australia in November’s final instead gave the green-and-gold a first Cup win since 1988. Now the Australians’ coach John Manenti has challenged his side to “write a piece of history” by winning again as Hong Kong stages two Sevens in one season for the first and possibly last time.
For New Zealand – the Sevens’ second-most successful side with 11 triumphs to Fiji’s 19 – November brought unprecedented ignominy. It was the first time they had failed to reach the quarterfinals of the main competition in Hong Kong, and only the second time in 21 years that had happened in any World Series event.
Also in with a shout are Argentina, who won the most recent leg of the Series this month in Vancouver. Their pool, pitting them against Fiji, Samoa and Canada, looks distinctly tasty. Into this heady mix – but in a marginally more agreeable pool with France, Great Britain and Uruguay – step Hong Kong. Their captain, Max Woodward, calls the current crop “the most competitive squad there’s ever been in my career”.
“It’s fantastic for both the men and women to be involved,” Hong Kong’s sevens head coach Paul John told the Post. “For the men, November was such a great occasion because they had not been part of the main tournament for a long time – we had always played in the qualifying levels underneath. “Hong Kong opening back up has given everyone a lift,” he said. “Playing in the best tournament in the world is special. And for the Sevens to be [properly] back on means so much for the coaches, staff, Hong Kong Sports Institute, businesses and the public.