Dubai: Tickets for this year’s Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens go on sale on Monday, September 30.
The annual event takes place at The Sevens Stadium from November 28-30 and claims to be the biggest, most colourful sporting event on the Dubai calendar.
In excess of 100,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s three-day tournament, with the ‘Get Your Game Face On’ campaign encouraging fans to support the tradition of outrageous fancy dress.
Organisers are advising visitors to buy tickets in advance, to avoid queues when arriving at the venue while saving money in the process.
A full list of ticket outlets can be found on www.dubairugby7s.com. Entrance is free on Thursday while tickets for Friday and Saturday cost Dh250 per person in advance or Dh300 on the day. Season tickets are Dh400 in advance or Dh500 on the day.
Along with all the regular features of a sevens weekend, there are increased facilities this year for visitors, including, for the first time, a designated entrance for families. Organisers have also teamed up with the leading mobile childcare company Creche Out to provide the option of top-class child-minding facilities for toddlers and children up to eight years old.
Childrens’ entertainment at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens this year includes the HSBC World of Sport, face painting, bouncy castles and lots more. There are 2,000 seats set aside in the Air BP stand for mothers, fathers and their children, with those under-12 getting in for free if accompanied by an adult.
“We are very proud of our reputation as a great event for families — with a designated family entrance, 2,000 seats set aside in the Air BP family stand, improved creche facilities and entertainment for children throughout the day,” said Gary Chapman, President Group Services and dnata, Emirates Group.
“Interest in the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens just grows and grows, and every year it becomes more popular, not just in Dubai, but with visitors from all over the world.
“It is a great showcase for Dubai, a fantastic sporting occasion with the world’s top players on show, and it’s always a wonderful atmosphere.
“There’s something for everyone; the Rugby Village is always a hive of activity, the fancy dress costumes become more daring every year.”
The Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens is the second round of the HSBC Sevens World Series 2013/14, following the opening event in Australia on October 12-13. It is also the first round of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series.
Sixteen teams will be taking part in the second round of the HSBC Sevens World Series: Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, US and Wales. Russia, hosts of this year’s World Cup, is the invited team.
Twelve teams will take part in the opening round of this year’s IRB Women’s Sevens World Series campaign: Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, US and four invitation teams — France, Brazil, Fiji and Tunisia.
There will also be over 200 teams taking part in the Invitation Tournament, where players range from those who turn out for the experience to former internationals who relish the opportunity to be involved in the veterans’ event.
