HSBC Sevens World Series targets 500,000 fans

The International Rugby Board and HSBC are setting a target of 500,000 fans for the entire 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series, starting with the season-opener in Dubai on 3-4 December.

Speaking at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens press conference, Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship HSBC Holdings, joined the IRB's Head of Development and Performance Mark Egan in announcing the figure.

The 2009/10 World Series attracted the highest number of fans through the turnstiles to date - 471,000 the accumulative total for the entire Series - and this year, with increased broadcast interest and the continued growth in Sevens' popularity as a new Olympic sport, even greater levels of interest are anticipated, starting in Dubai.

Speakers at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Press conference were (left to right): Gordon Tietjens (NZ Sevens coach), Andy Cole (Chairman, AGRFU), Richard Vaughan (DSVP Commercial Operations Worldwide, Emirates Airline), Mark Egan (IRB Head of Development and Performance), Giles Morgan (Group Head of Sponsorship, HSBC). Photo: Getty Images for HSBC

"People love coming to Sevens events," said Egan. "They get two days of great entertainment, they get close to the players, there's a great atmosphere and it's a family event so I think 500,000 for the whole Series is a good target to set ourselves.

"They've been growing steadily over the years. Hong Kong, Wellington, Dubai and South Africa have all reached the stage where they sell out, the London tournament is setting new records year on year, the USA event in Las Vegas will grow and, as will the events in Australia and Scotland, so I think if can all reach that figure together it will show again the global popularity of Sevens."

Morgan echoed those sentiments: "This is a sport that has so much potential. Sevens now is going into a whole new orbit in terms of interest from new countries around the world and at the very pinnacle of the sport is the HSBC Sevens World Series," he said.

"It's hugely exciting. When the Sevens was announced into the Olympic programme we were very keen to start conversations with the IRB," added Morgan.

"It is the showcase for the very best teams in the world and to be starting here in Dubai at the start of the 2010/11 Series is really exciting - the weather is fantastic and we are due a real festival of Rugby."

On Thursday 2 December the final squads will be declared and announced for all 16 teams competing in Dubai, where New Zealand start as defending champions and Samoa begin their overall World Series title defence.

Dubai tickets

Some tickets to the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens are still available and will be on sale at the gate at 7he Sevens. Children under 12 gain free admission to the general public area and there is a special family stand available, with plenty of activities to keep children entertained in the Rugby Village.

A free bus service is available to fans from 7he Sevens to locations across Dubai including Dubai Festival City, Dubai Media City (family drop-off points), Barzar (Madinat Jumeirah), Double Decker, Irish Village, Chi @ The Lodge, McGettigans Irish Pub (Jumeirah Lake Towers) and Barasti. This service starts from 5pm on Thursday 2 December and 7pm on Friday 3 December and Saturday 4 December.

Further Information:

Seb Lauzier, +44 (0)7515 796 492, email: seb.lauzier@irb.com