World Rugby Make Huge Cutbacks to Rugby Sevens Circuit Events

World Rugby has made huge cutbacks to the annual Rugby Sevens Circuit. Ignacio Chans reports that the sport’s global governing body has downsized the events from twelve to eight teams. The changes are unwelcome news for Chans’ Uruguay who are one of the twelve teams involved in the 2024-2025 series.

 

REDUCTION

The cutbacks are driven by economic factors. World Rugby’s reduction of teams comes as a result of the government body seeking to reduce expenses, and financial losses.

Uruguay finished the 2024–25 SVNS Men’s Series in 10th position and the USA finished 12th. The series was won by Argentina while former regulars Canada, missed out on a spot this season. Both Uruguay and the USA are now in grave danger of joining Canada on the outer.

The trio all have the opportunity to play in the six events of next season’s series. If Uruguay, for instance, were to successfully qualify then the URU would maintain the existing £300,000 annual financial support from World Rugby.

Crédito Foto: Prensa URU
PLACES ON THE LINE

Attention now turns to repechage. The 2025 Los Angeles SVNS tournament will be played on May 03-04. It comes with the bad news of the huge cutbacks for next season. Players and teams will compete in Los Angeles knowing that one-third of the places are being removed.

World Rugby made the changes on the back of repeated financial losses in recent years. It comes with priority changes to invest more money into Women’s Rugby, with a reduced number of tournament, and with former core teams disappearing as notably shown by the case of Team Great Britain replacing England, Scotland and Wales.

As reported by Chans, the top four from the Los Angeles SVNS tournament will have the right to compete at three tournaments next season and the option of another three tournaments at the end of the season against the top teams. They will also keep, in the first year, the £300,000 that is awarded to all the teams on the circuit.

photo credit: Martin Seras Lima / World Rugby
CHANGED SEVENS CIRCUIT

Alternations mean that the new circuit will consist of six tournaments involving eight teams each in Men’s and Women’s categories. In addition, there will be a second division involving six competitors (9th to 14th in the world). Of these six, four will be those who secure places in the upcoming repechage in Los Angeles. The other two will come from the Challenger tournament involving teams ranked 13th to 20th.

The season will involve three final tournaments, featuring 12 teams each: the top 8 and the best 4 from the second division. As such, qualifying from the Los Angeles playoffs is critical; it will mean involvement in the second division and the £300,000 investment.

This model will continue until the completion of the Olympic cycle (July 2028); however, £300,000 is only guaranteed for the first season.

Photo: World Rugby

 

MORE CUTBACKS

This is not the first time that World Rugby has made huge cutbacks to Rugby Sevens circuit events. World Rugby reduced the circuit from 16 to 12 teams at the end of 2023. Uruguay finished 11th place but was required to compete in a play-off which Los Teros 7’s lost. Uruguay regained their spot one year later.

This year, Uruguay finished 10th out of 12 competitors, so the South Americans will be involved in play-offs again, although this time Los Teros have no chance of staying up. Uruguay finished ahead of Ireland and the USA.

photo credit: Mike Lee / KLC / World Rugby

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