2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens – What You Need To Know

The 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will take place from 28 – 30 March 2025 and for the first time will be heading to 50,000 capacity Kai Tak Sports Park. We look at the rugby events, lunches, dinners, and other essential information for all the fans attending that week.

Updated 17 March 2025 (events added)

Hong Kong China Rugby confirmed the dates as part of the announcements by World Rugby for the new HSBC SVNS 2025 season – with Dubai, Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver all named as host cities and the second batch to be confirmed.

HKCR Chairman Chris Brooke said, “The iconic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is a fan-favourite on the HSBC SVNS Series. Thanks to World Rugby for yet again confirming Hong Kong as an integral part of the SVNS success story.”

The HKCR recognised that the news will allow international fans to have plenty of lead time to plan their trips and book flights and accommodation.

New HKCR CEO James Farndon who will be involved in his leadership role at the union for the first time at the Sevens in Hong Kong, added: “About 30% of our ticket holders in 2024 travelled from overseas. It would be great to build on the undoubted international attraction of the HK7s as a ‘bucket list’ event and to showcase our great city to people from all over the world.”

CEO James Farndon added, “It is our wish to stage the 2025 Sevens at Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), and we are working very closely with the KTSP team to make that happen. Once we are able to provide more details we will do so.”

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Photo Credit: HKCR – Melrose Claymores Sevens 2024

2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Pools

WOMEN’S POOL

Pool A

• New Zealand
• Brazil
• China
• USA

Pool B

• Fiji
• France
• Great Britain
• Ireland.

Pool C

• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• Spain

MEN’S POOL

Pool A

• Argentina
• Fiji
• Ireland
• USA

Pool B

• South Africa
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Uruguay

Pool C

• Spain
• France
• Great Britain
• Kenya

Hong Kong Sevens Week 2025 events

The week leading up to the 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is usually jam-packed with events and tournaments. We will publish a detailed guide, as we always do when more information is released.

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch will be held on 8 November 2024 and retired Australian rugby star Michael Hooper will headline the Long Lunch panel. More guests will be confirmed and proceeds will go to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the official charity partner of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Over 30 concession stands will operate inside the Kai Tak stadium offering food and beverages.

All Girls 7s 2025

The All Girls 7s 2025 returns with U5-U18 categories and two days of action at Kings Park.

• Date: 21-22 March 2025
• Venue: Kings Park

Hong Kong International Touch Championship 2025

The Hong Kong International Touch Championship 2025 (HKITC) is returning and takes place at Happy Valley on 23 March with Hong Kong sides selected and international teams open to register.

• Date: 23 March 2025
• Venue: Happy Valley

Kowloon Rugbyfest 2025

The annual tens social tournament will be held on 27th March 2025 and Rugbyfest is open to 16 Men’s teams and 8 women’s teams as well as Men’s Veterans (Over 40s) playing in a round-robin format.

• Date: 27 March 2025
• Venue: Kings Park

2025 Tradition HKFC 10s

The 2025 Tradition HKFC 10s has been confirmed to be played on Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th of March 2025.

The 2025 Men’s Competition will showcase a highly competitive field of 12 teams, running concurrently with an 8-team Women’s Competition, ensuring thrilling rugby action for all fans.

• Date: 26-27 March 2025
• Venue: HKFC

Melrose Claymores 2025

The Melrose Claymores 7s will run again in 2025 including the HKCR women’s and men’s national 7s teams and invitational international teams.

It was confirmed in December 2024 that defending champions Hong Kong China men’s sevens will play Japan and China, while the HKCR women will play Thailand and Kazakhstan in their Melrose Claymores clash.

The Melrose Claymores trophies were donated by Melrose Rugby Football Club in Scotland, which is host of the world’s oldest sevens competition, the Melrose Sevens which was founded in 1883. In a reciprocal gesture, the Hong Kong Sevens trophy is on offer to winners of one of the competitions at Melrose.

On Sunday 23 March, the HK7s Team Announcement for the Hong Kong China Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams to play in the Melrose Claymores at the 2025 Hong Kong Sevens will be announced. There will be a special jersey presentation at Harbourside West Lawn, at the West Kowloon Cultural District (from 1PM to 3PM) and fans can get an autograph and a photo with their favourite player.

• Date: 28-30 March 2025
• Venue: Kai Tak Stadium

Live Music & Entertainment – 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 live music features Kaiser Chiefs, Pete Tong, RubberBand, and GALA for the first Kai Tak Stadium edition.

You can see more here.

• RubberBand – Friday 28th March
• Pete Tong – Saturday 29th March at 6:35PM
• GALA – Saturday 29th March (Time TBC)
• Kaiser Chiefs – Sunday 30th March 4:45PM

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Opening Ceremony – Friday, 6:45pm

The traditional opening ceremony is supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and usually is a spectacle which includes lion dances, laser shows, and a performance by local Cantopop stars RubberBand.

The March Past – Saturday 2:25pm

As is tradition for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, 2,500 mini and youth players will be playing games each morning at the stadium, and on Saturday afternoon will be involved in the March Past at 14:25.

HK 7s Fan Village 2025

Fans can also attend the dedicated fan village at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 with general admission tickets for free – located just outside to the east of Kai Tak Main Stadium. The Fan Village will be operational from the start of play to 11PM each day from 28-30 March.

The 7,800-square foot attraction is an open-air multi-use space that will be home to fan experience activations from co-title sponsors Cathay and HSBC among other partners.

There will be game booths, drinks tents, big screens, a stage for extra entertainment and chill-out areas with a good chance of seeing the SVNS stars and ambassadors.

• The family-friendly area will have a dedicated kids zone complete with giant inflatables, alongside the Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) community and sports activities.
• Food and beverage stands.
• Three garden lounges and the signature bar of the tournament’s official beer.
• Beanbag seating and all matches are shown live on the big screen inside the Village.
• Castore flagship store will be selling merch
• Meet and Greet and autograph signing opportunities.

Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Ambassadors

Waisale Serevi (Fiji), DJ Forbes & Tyla King (NZ), Jim Hamilton (Scotland), Andy Goode & Cecilia Quansah (England), Christy Cheng Ka-chi and Salom Yiu Kam-shing (HKCR) have all been confirmed for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 as official ambassadors in 2025.

Schalk Burger will be back in Hong Kong as an ambassador and part of the Laureus Sport for Good programme.

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Dinners, Lunches & Events

Bula Dinner 2025 – Fiji Chamber of Commerce – Hong Kong (TBC)

The Fiji Chamber of Commerce usually hosts the annual Bula Dinner in the leadup to the Hong Kong Sevens which features members of the Fiji national men’s and women’s sevens teams

Details for 2025 TBC.

• Date: TBC
• Venue: TBC

AustCham Rugby Sevens Cocktails 2025

The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong will again be hosting members of the Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens rugby teams and coaches in Hong Kong.

The organisers said, “Experience the excitement of the Hong Kong Sevens at our highly anticipated Rugby 7s Cocktail. Join us on Tuesday, March 25 2025 from 6-8pm with members of the Australian Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams and coaches at the Official Residence of the Australian Consul-General in Hong Kong as we kick off the rugby season!”

• Date: Tuesday, March 25 2025, 6-8PM
• Venue: Official Residence of the Australian Consul General in Hong Kong

UNFILTERED: An Evening with Jim Hamilton, Andy Goode & the KOKO Show

Two of rugby’s biggest podcasts are hosting a combined event as The Rugby Pod’s Jim Hamilton and Andy Good, as well as KOKO’s Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

• Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
• Venue: Happy Valley Suites at HKFC

Southern African Association of Hong Kong – HK Sevens Blitzbok Dinner 2025

The SAAHK annually hosts the dinner with the Blitzboks men’s team and management attending and the evening sees fun interaction and auctions for memorabilia – the MCs for the past two years have been former Springboks Victor Matfield and Duane Vermeulen.

SAAHK has raised over one million HK$ for Ons Plek – a home for abused and disadvantaged young girls sleeping on the streets of Cape Town in South Africa.

More details for the 2025 event can be found here.

• Date: Wednesday 26th March 2025 18:30-23:00
• Venue: HKFC

Hong Kong Sport and Sustainability Summit 2025

The theme is “Inspiring action and driving impact, as discussions will be held on the role of sport in developing and delivering sustainability goals. See more details here – invitation only.

See more from the 2024 edition here.

• Date: Wednesday 26th March 2025 –  09:00 – 16:00
• Venue: Centricity, 2/F, LANDMARK Chater House, 8 Connaught Rd Central

Value of Sport Lunch – Hong Kong Sevens 2025

This is an annual event held since 2013, and often features world-class panel discussions with globally recognised athletes and rugby leadership figures with a key message of driving positive social change through the power of sport.

Invitiation-only.

• Date: Wednesday 26th March 2025
• Venue: TBC

KOKO x Southside By Ovolo Experience 2025

Guests who stay at Southside By Ovolo will have the chance to attend the KOKO team and Australian Wallaby legends Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper & Matt Giteau at Southside By Ovolo for a Hong Kong 7s party for the rugby podcast KICK OFFS AND KICK ONS on 27th March 2025. Other perks include free daily transfers to Kai Tai Stadium for the Rugby Sevens weekend and Ovolo’s Standard and Essentials.

• Date: Thursday 27th March 2025
• Venue: Southside By Ovolo

BritCham & KPMG Rugby Dinner 2025

The BritCham & KPMG Rugby Dinner will place on Thursday 27 March 2025 at the Hong Kong Football Club and will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the BritCham & KPMG Rugby Dinner.

The organisers said, “The BritCham & KPMG Rugby Dinner is back! The Chamber’s favourite sports dinner is set to return on Thursday 27 March 2025 at the Hong Kong Football Club. First launched in 2004, the BritCham & KPMG Rugby Dinner 2025 marks the 21st anniversary of this beloved Chamber tradition.

Experience rugby fever with your colleagues, clients, and friends at this must-attend event on the Chamber calendar! Join us for some outrageous fun with international legends of the game, complete with free-flow beer and a buffet fitting for the occasion.”

• Date: Thursday 27 March 2025
• Venue: HKFC

Doddie Weir Fundraising Dinner – Hong Kong Sevens 2025

A beloved and now regular fixture on the Hong Kong 7s week, more than 20 rugby legends as well as international superstars Ruud Gullit (Dutch Football) and Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey will “celebrate life whilst fighting to free the world of motor neuron disease.”

There are limited silver tables as well as individual seats remaining – please contact Scott Semple for more information – myname5doddiehk@gmail.com

• Date: Thursday 27 March 2025 6:30PM
• Venue: Hopewell Hotel, Hong Kong

Rugby Matters 2025

Rugby Matters returns to the Hong Kong Sevens week in 2025 and will be held at the South Stand of the brand-new Kai Tak Sports Park.

The organsiers said that “Rugby Matters 2025 will bring together 200 leaders from sports, marketing, and entertainment for an exclusive, intimate gathering….Connect with industry leaders, share insights, and hear inspiring stories from sports ambassadors and rugby legends before you take your seats inside the stadium and enjoy the excitement of the Hong Kong Sevens!”

Rugby Asia 247 is proud to be a media partner for Rugby Matters 2025 and will bring you more over the coming weeks.

• Date: Friday, March 28th, 2025 – 9-11:00 AM
• Venue: South Stand –  Kai Tak Stadium

Carbine Club Lunch – Rugby 7s Hong Kong 2025

Another regular on the HK7s week, the Cabine Club Lunch is an “important fundraising vehicle for Rugby For Good, who use funds raised at the lunch for the development and advancement of sport in Hong Kong.”

• Date: Friday 28th March 2025
• Venue: Carbine Club Hong Kong

Hong Kong Scottish Sevens Breakfast 2025

The HK Scottish Hong Kong Sevens Breakfast will feature Adam Ashley-Cooper (former Wallaby), Ryan Wilson (former Scotland international), and Jill Alison Douglas MBE (British sports presenter).

• Date: Saturday 29th March 2025 9:30-12:00
• Venue: Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees

What To Know – 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

You can read more in the FAQ here.

Where will the 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong 7s be held?

The HK7s 2025 Sevens will be held at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), which was confirmed in September 2024.

Will the Melrose Claymores Happen in 2025?

In addition to the 24 SVNS core teams, the Hong Kong China Men’s and Women’s 7s will feature in the Melrose Claymores competitions, with the invitational teams to be confirmed – read more here for the 2024 edition.

When to buy 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens tickets?

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 public ticket sale starts on Tuesday 5th November 2024  but there is an exclusive ticketing pre-sale which will begin 24 hours before.

• Fans can register for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 tickets pre-sale here.
• General admission 3-day passes cost HK$1950.
• Single-day tickets will be available on the 5th of November 2024 via an exclusive partnership with Klook priced at HK$500 (Adult Friday), HK$1,200 (Adult Saturday) and HK$1,200 (Adult Sunday).
• There are children’s tickets available for kids 12 and under, but a limited number and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Children 2 and under do not require a ticket.

Are 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Corporate Boxes available?

HKCR said, “Whilst some corporate hospitality offerings have already sold out for 2025, we have a range on offer to suit different business needs.”

Photo Credit: HKCR Men’s 7s – Claymore Sevens 2024

Sevens Rugby News 2025

• Melrose Claymores Teams For Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Announced.
• Hong Kong China Rugby CEO James Farndon – “Hugely Exciting Times Ahead”.
• Record-breaking Olympics 2024 For Women’s Rugby Sevens.
• Sam Pinder – SVNS Is A Fantastic Vehicle For Being Able To Grow The Sport Of Rugby.