Emirates Dubai 7s 2021

The Emirates Dubai 7s rugby is scheduled to return from 2-4 December 2021 the organisers confirmed today.

On its social media platforms, the Emirates Dubai 7s said that entries open for the Invitational Tournament on March 1st 2021 with the tournament expected to go ahead in the first week of December.

Tournament Director, Thomas Burwell said, “It’s with huge excitement that we have the opportunity to announce our 2021 date. We understand from teams and players across the world how excited they are to return to the desert this coming December”.

Like so many international and rugby sporting events, the tournament did not materialise in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic despite the best efforts to adapt the event and present it in a different format.

Emirates Dubai 7s 2021

The tournament said they will celebrate its 51st anniversary “as the world of rugby returns to the desert following the cancellation of the 2020 tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In a press release, the organisers said: “The annual festival of sport will see more participants than ever before with the addition of a cricket tournament on the world-class ovals of The Sevens Stadium. Cricket 7s will take its place alongside Netball & Rugby as mass-participation for local, regional and international competition.”

Tournament Director, Thomas Burwell added: “I would like to thank UAERF, World Rugby and the local government stakeholders for their ongoing support of the tournament.”

Asia Rugby President Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai (who is based in the UAE)  added his thoughts: “We are pleased to see the planning for the return of the Emirates Dubai 7s and stand in solidarity with all stakeholders to make this an unforgettable event that will be hosted by Emirates in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates Rugby Federation. We look forward to the participation from Asian Nations at this top-class global 7s event. As a new leader for the Asian Region, I look forward to seeing increased Asian participation in this event.”

Which teams will play at the Emirates Dubai 7s 2021?

The Emirates Dubai 7s 2021 is said to include more than 350 teams across the three sports in 2021 with more than 50% of participating teams and players coming from outside the Gulf Region.

In terms of rugby, the organising team have announced new Dubai 7s events and programs “that will take place across the winter including the Dubai 7s schools’ legacy program, The Dubai 7s Development program and the launch of cutting-edge content including the ‘The Face of Dubai 7s’ and the ‘Tales from the Sand’ Podcast.”

Youth Rugby

The Emirates Dubai 7s 2021 will also be expanding the Youth divisions in Rugby by running a series of tournaments and competitions running throughout October & November across multiple age-groups for clubs and schools in the UAE. The finals of each tournament will take place under lights live on one of the show fields at the Dubai 7s in December.

Emirates Airline Rugby Long Lunch

The famous Emirates Airline Rugby Long Lunch will also return in 2021 and is scheduled to take place on November 4th, 2021 at the Conrad Hotel said the press release.

Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens

Established in 1970 and organised annually by Emirates Airline, the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is one the world’s leading international sevens events. Every year the tournament welcomes over 300 rugby & netball teams.

Since 1999, the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens has been a part of World Rugby’s HSBC Sevens Series.

• Venue: Emirates Airline Sevens Stadium, Dubai, UAE
• Date: 2-4 December 2021

Rugby Events in 2021

• The RWC 2021 venues and dates confirmed.
• Your Guide to the Asia Rugby 2021 Competitions.
• Hong Kong Sevens 2021 postponed.
• Fat Boy 10s 2021 Hong Kong.