The Rugby Infrastructure in Asia

If you are an avid rugby fan based in Asia, there’s no better time than now to feel the rush of this great game. The Rugby infrastructure in this part of the world is growing, and with it comes access to an increasing number of high-quality facilities, stadiums, training centres, and more.

We will explore all that Asia has to offer when it comes to quality sports infrastructure for Rugby and provide insights into what makes these locations so unique. So grab your cleats and get ready to discover the best places around Asia to experience world-class Rugby!

Overview of the Rugby Infrastructure in Asia

One of the most exciting developments in Asian rugby has been the growth of sevens tournaments (at all levels from youth to social and of course the World 7s Series). These tournaments feature seven players per side in fast-paced matches and have become hugely popular and have seen the world’s best teams compete in countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE, and in Japan.

Japan when hosting RWC 2019 was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global showpiece tournament’s economic and entertainment benefits. The Rugby World Cup in Japan was the most economically successful Rugby World Cup ever, generating nearly $4.3 billion. Japan’s opportunity to host the Rugby World Cup, showcasing some of the best rugby infrastructure in the world with the tournament taking place across 12 different stadiums. Notably, the 72,000-capacity International Stadium Yokohama, which hosted the final between South Africa and England which the Springboks won, is widely regarded as one of the best rugby stadiums in the world – and must be top-ranked in Asia.

Looking ahead to 2025, Hong Kong expects to move its highly popular tournament – the Hong Kong Sevens – to a brand-new stadium in Kowloon Bay. The “Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium” will be a new venue capable of seating 50,000 spectators and promises to elevate the buzz around Rugby in Asia for what is already regarded as the best Sevens rugby tournament in the world.

Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium – Hong Kong

The plan includes a 10,000-seat indoor arena and a 5,000-seat community stadium with an athletics track. The project also includes areas for shopping, public gatherings, parking, a park for entertainment, etc.

At the same time, Rugby India has partnered with Japanese suppliers to equip new sports facilities at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar. These facilities include dedicated training centres and pitches and are expected to help Rugby India national teams of all age grades to boost their performances in national and regional events and help grow the popularity of rugby in India.

Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Sport in Asia

Despite the growth of rugby infrastructure in Asia, some challenges still face the sport.

• Firstly, while more and more people are interested in the game, grassroots involvement is still lagging. This is primarily due to inadequate resources and facilities for amateur players or those who need the means to join high-level teams in a number of Unions.
• Secondly, rugby union XV is less widely played compared to its sevens counterpart (or even tens rugby in some instances). Sevens rugby is more accessible and easier to understand (and the benefits of Olympic Committee funding) but for Unions wanting to play competitively at all levels – both sevens and XV should be promoted to appeal to potential players and promote inclusivity as fifteen rugby is still the biggest showpiece on the planet.
• Finally, although women’s participation in Rugby remains comparatively low compared to some other sports in Asia, there is a change in the perception of it not being suitable for women and girls – thanks to the efforts of campaigns, Unions promoting inclusivity, and individuals pushing for more representation and support for female players. Commercially, women’s participation in rugby is seen as one of the biggest growth areas.

As more countries invest in infrastructure and facilities to provide better access to sports, there is still plenty of potential for rugby in Asia.

In addition, digital technology, such as streaming services, could help reach a wider audience and make Rugby more accessible to people who may not have had the opportunity to experience it before. Finally, initiatives such as “Women in Rugby” and grassroots and development programs such as those provided by ChildFund Rugby help increase the visibility of female players and make the sport more inclusive.

World Rugby Sevens will also from the 2023-2024 season offer parity for the women and men playing the same venues all season which will encourage a change of mindsets and allow female and male stars to encourage young players.

Impact of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Asian Rugby

With the Rugby World Cup 2023 set to take place in France, the event is expected to impact rugby throughout the Asian continent. It is expected to help raise the sport’s profile further and inspire a new generation of players and fans.

The Rugby World Cup 2023 is also expected to boost the sport’s popularity across the continent as the tournament will (hopefully) be broadcast to a global audience, reaching an Asian audience and attracting new fans to the game. This exposure could open up new sponsorship opportunities and increase investment in rugby in Asia as there will be momentum leading up to the RWC 2023 and thereafter, much like we have seen with the RWC 2021 held in New Zealand in 2022.

Finally, the Rugby World Cup 2023 could serve as a catalyst for greater collaboration and cooperation between Asian nations (and with other regions). The tournament will provide a platform for players, coaches, and officials from different countries to share ideas and work together to improve the sport. This collaboration should help to drive the growth and development of the sport for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Rugby is growing rapidly in Asia, and the Rugby World Cup 2023 will provide a huge platform for the sport to reach even more people. In addition, this will be a time for sports fans to reap big from the Rugby World Cup 2023 betting odds. Ultimately, with increased investment and support from governments, fans, and businesses worldwide, there’s no doubt that rugby will continue to gain popularity throughout the continent.

So even as we celebrate its growth, we should be optimistic and expect more competitive teams at future tournaments and a higher profile for the sport around the globe.

This is an invited post not written by Rugby Asia 247.