The Algarve Sevens has ambitious goals of establishing itself as the best and most entertaining rugby sevens international tournament in Europe and aims to continue to attract rugby teams from across the planet to the Portuguese coast.
The tournament is organised and run by Sports Ventures who are a leading sports events/management and tours company for a diverse range of sports including rugby union and have organised the Lisbon 7´s International Tournament and Lisbon junior 7´s International Weekend.
We will hear from the Algarve Sevens management over the coming weeks as well as their ambitious plans to bring the HSBC World Sevens Series to one of Europe’s favourite holiday resort destinations – located near the city of Vila Real de Santo Antônio (VRSA).
Here is everything you need to know in a series about the Algarve 7s!
Photo Credit: Algarve Sevens
The Algarve Sevens History
The first Algarve Sevens took place in 2018 in the Portuguese coastal city, which is located a short flight away from the capital of Lisbon or Seville International Airports.
The Algarve Sevens (pre-COVID) had as many as 40 rugby 7s teams taking part, with touring sides visiting from Venezuela, South Africa, and across Europe (including France, Romania, Italy, and of course Portugal) taking part.
From Asia, the Hong Kong Rugby Union was present in the first edition of the tournament as well as a team from China.
This year, the 3rd edition of the International Algarve 7s rugby tournament will take place on the weekend of 10 – 13 June 2022, at the Vila Real de Santo Antonio Stadium & Sports complex in Eastern Algarve.
The sporting complex offers a high-performance training centre accredited by the IAAF and is recognised by the Portuguese Olympic Committee as an Official Training Centre.
Located near the beach resort of Monte Gordo – most of the players and teams participating in the Algarve 7s will be based there – within walking distance of the stadium.
Algarve Sevens Teams and History
There are four divisions at the Algarve Sevens 2022 which include:
- Men’s Elite Sevens
- Men’s Open Sevens
- Womens Open Sevens
- Vets (Over 35s) 13-a side
Previous Teams
In the previous editions of the Algarve Sevens, well-known rugby sides such as the Samurai International, German national team, Portugal national team, Hong Kong national teams, Russian national team, France Development team, and several players who have featured on the HSBC World Sevens Series have participated.
Samurai won the 2019 Elite Men’s tournament at the Algarve Sevens, Ragga Rugby won the Men’s open, and Nouvelle Aquitaine the Women’s Open.
Teams confirmed 2022 – Algarve 7s
The organisers of the Algarve Sevens have said “For 2022 we expect more than 50 teams, with an increase in the level in all competitions of the Algarve 7s rugby tournament”.
There is a great mix of rugby teams at this year’s edition of the Sevens which sees elite (pro) teams and a healthy mix of social and club sides venture to the coast of Portugal for a fantastic weekend of rugby.
They include rugby touring teams from Portugal, Georgia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, the UK and players of all levels from many more nations.
The teams confirmed for the Algarve Sevens 2022 so far include:
Women’s Open – Algarve Sevens 2022
Pool A
- Nouvelle Aquitaine
- Kazakhstan Women’s 7s
- Sketty Hoops
- Belas/Cascais
Pool B
- Hong Rugby Rugby Women
- Costa Blanca
- LSPA -Livonia Rugby Club
- Ubuntu Academy
Pool C
- Fantastic 7s
- Petelo Academy
- RUGBAN’s
- TBC
Men’s Elite
Pool A
- Hong Kong Rugby Men
- Georgia Men’s Sevens
- Seventise
- Durham University
- 7 Fantastics
Pool B
- Portugal
- Vodacom Blue Bulls
- Landes 7s
- Petelo Academy 7s
- Viator Barbarians
Men’s Open
Pool A
- Durham University – Men’s Open
- Duque of Lancaster
- Sketty Hoops
- Loule RC
Pool B
- TBC
- Belgium Barbarians
- Orange Rebels
- Sabrage Development
Pool C
- Wolves 7s
- Agronomia Rugby
- Abertay University
- RC Lousa
- AA Coimbra
Pool D
- Cascais Rugby
- Livonia Rugby Club
- CR Sao Miguel
- Rugby Vila da Moita
- Clube de Rugby de Juromenha
Men’s Vets
- The 100 World Legends
- Rugby Clube de Loulé
- Wasps FC Rugby Vets
Why the Algarve is Perfect for Asian Rugby teams
Asian teams playing the Algarve 7s
In 2022, the HKRU is sending both its women’s and men’s national sevens rugby teams to Portugal – it’s the third time the HKRU men’s team have played at Algarve and the women previously played in 2019.
Both the women and men have been involved in the UK Super Sevens Series 2022 over recent weeks with the HKRU men getting in key preparation games before the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town later in 2022.
The Kazakhstan women’s 7s team is also participating this year at the Algarve 7s 2022
All of the Asian national teams are highly ranked in Asia and are seeking top-quality rugby competition at the Algarve Sevens tournament.
Read more about what the teams told the Algarve Sevens this year:
- Get to Know Kazakhstan 7’s
- Get to Know Paul John (Hong Kong Rugby Union Sevens head coach) and the focus of the Hong Kong 7’s.
- Get to Know the Hong Kong 7’s teams – Max Woodward, Melody Li And Natasha Olson Thorne.
Off the field activities – Algarve Sevens
The Sevens in Algarve playing action runs from Saturday 11th June and the final takes place on Sunday 12th June 2022.
In 2022, off the pitch, there will also be several social events ensuring the Algarve 7s experience is amazing for all of the players, management, family, and of course – the fans.
- Friday 10th June 2022 – Official Welcome Party
- Saturday 11th June 2022 – Official Beach Party – The Voodoo Marmalade band will be playing.
Algarve Sevens 2022 Tickets
You can buy your ticket online and watch all the action of the Algarve 7s 2022. Click here and come see the sevens in the sun:
- Tickets for one day: 5 Euros
- Tickets for two days: 7,5 Euros
Rugby Asia 247 will be at the Algarve Sevens 2022 from June 10-13 to cover the action and will bring you more news and interviews over the coming weeks! Stay tuned for more.
Rugby Tournament News
- HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 Schedule Confirmed.
- Confirmation of SEA Games hosts until 2029 should see the inclusion of Rugby 7s.
- Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Cape Town.
- Rugby Coach News in Asia.
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