4 Asian Rugby Lunches and Dinners You Should Attend in 2025

It feels like October and November are always particularly busy rugby-wise in the region as most seasons are in full swing, international matches are around the corner, and now several exciting dinners and long lunches have been organised, attracting some top talent. We look at four Asian rugby lunches and dinners you should look to attend in Q4 2025.

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch 2025

HKCR confirmed that the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch will take place in the Kai Tak Stadium’s South Terrace before the HK Dragons play in showcase matches and the HKCR Men’s XV face Japan XV.

The long-standing Sevens tradition marks the official countdown to the 2026 event as we all eagerly await the dates and venue details from World Rugby, which are set to confirm details for the SVNS Series in September 2025.

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch will feature international rugby legends and comedians and raise funds for the Laureus Sport For Good, the Official Charity of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Confirmed guests include (alongside other special guests of the men’s and women’s game):

• Bryan Habana – Springbok rugby star and Hall of Famer
• Florence Symonds – The Olympic 7s and RWC 2025 silver medalist for Canada grew up in Hong Kong, playing rugby at Discovery Bay Pirates and Kowloon Rugby Club before moving to Canada.
• Dan Nicholl –  host on Supersport South Africa, who will once again MC the event
• Simon Evans – Stand-up British comedian

HKCR said of Fly Symonds’ attendance, “Homecoming! We’re delighted to announce that Florence Symonds, ex-Hong Kong China Rugby player and current Canadian rugby superstar, will be joining us as a guest speaker for the iconic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch on Friday, 24 October!

Flo grew up in Hong Kong, playing rugby at Discovery Bay Pirates and Kowloon Rugby Club, going on to represent Canada on the world stage in both sevens and fifteens. She has proudly earned an Olympic silver medal and played a leading role in the midfield of the Canadian team, who finished runners-up in the recent 2025 Rugby World Cup final!”

You can see more ticketing details online, and entry to the matches is included in the price.

• Venue: Kai Tak Stadium’s South Terrace, Hong Kong
• Date: Friday, 24 October

Indonesia Rugby Dinner – 21 years

Rugby Union Indonesia is hosting the rugby dinner to celebrate a milestone and said, “This year marks 21 years of Indonesia Rugby, and we’re celebrating more than just the game — we’re celebrating the community, opportunities, and passion that Rugby has built across the nation. Now, we need your support to keep the momentum going.”

The dinner will have special guests Stephen Larkham – Wallabies legend and RWC winner, current ACT Brumbies Coach and the MC is Justin Sampson– former ESPN Star / Fox Asia Sports rugby commentator.

The union is hoping to raise funds to:

• Provide access to Rugby for more young players
• Support grassroots development programs
• Build opportunities for the next generation

• Venue: World Capital Tower, Jakarta, Indonesia
• Date: 1st November, 2025

You can also see some of the dinners and lunchec held in 2024!

Kowloon RugbyFest Dinner – Kowloon Cares 2025

The annual dinner organised by Kowloon RugbyFest takes place this November.

The organisers told Rugby Asia 247, “We are also excited to share that Kowloon Rugby Club is holding its annual ‘RugbyFest / Kowloon Cares Dinner’ on Thursday, 6th November 2025.

Our ‘Kowloon RugbyFest’ forms a key event during ‘Hong Kong Rugby Week’, welcoming social teams travelling from local, regional and international locations to experience Hong Kong’s famous hospitality.”

Last year, former Wales international Andy Powell was the guest, as well as members from the Lao Rugby Federation and ChildFund Rugby.

The organisers said, “The RugbyFest Dinner celebrated this success with sponsors, volunteers, friends and a few rugby celebrities. Welsh international Andy Powell and Bath’s David Trick were joined by local female rugby legends Christy Cheung, Lao Khang and Megan Knight.”

For the 2025 edition, they added, “The Dinner provides an opportunity to shine a light on the clubs ‘Kowloon Cares’ community outreach programme, covering its core pillars of Youth Development, Environmental and Sustainability, Health & Wellbeing and Inclusivity. Dinner guests will be guided through the evening by former Bath and England player David “Tricky” Trick, who will be joined by club colleague and former England Captain, and our first ever speaker back in 2022, Phil de Glanville.”

The 21st DHL Kowloon RugbyFest Tournament will be held on Thursday, 16th April 2026.

For further information on either the RugbyFest Tournament (APR’26) or the RugbyFest / Kowloon Cares Dinner (NOV/’25), please contact Clive Hammond on hammond@netvigator.com 

• Venue: Chiu Chow Restaurant, Hong Kong
• Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025

SCC 7s Long Lunch 2025

The SCC 7s Long Lunch takes place on the Friday before the 76th edition of the SCC 7s is held from 15-16 November 2025.

The organisers said online, “We are thrilled to announce the return of the famous SCC 7s Long Lunch! This year’s event will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the historic Singapore Cricket Club’s Padang Restaurant.”

The organisers told Rugby Asia 247: “The SCC Long Lunch has become one of the great traditions surrounding the SCC7s — one of the oldest ongoing 7s tournaments in the world. Events like this help build excitement leading up to the tournament, generate important support for the event, and, most importantly, bring together old and new friends to share a few laughs and plenty of rugby stories.

This year we’ve got All Black Kees Meeuws and England’s David Trick — a real North vs South balance. It’s something we try to do every year, to bring that bit of friendly back-and-forth that makes the Long Lunch so much fun.”

This is an excellent opportunity to kick off what promises to be an exciting weekend of 7s rugby on the Padang.

• Venue: The Padang Restaurant, Singapore
• Date: Friday, 14 November 2025

Rugby Events to Consider

Ok, we are cheating as the following two events are not lunches or dinners, but both are great-looking events with international players in attendance and benefit youths.

SRU Junior Rugby Carnival 2025

SRU Junior Rugby Carnival kicks off on 26 October and 2 November 2025, which the Singapore Rugby Union says “celebrates our next generation of players, coaches, and rugby families.”

Former All Blacks Stephen Donald and Liam Messam are due to attend.

• Venue: Yio Chu Kang Stadium, Singapore
• Date: 26 October and 2 November 2025

Rugby Cùng Nhau –  Rugby Legends Game 2025

Rugby Cùng Nhau is organising the Rugby Legends rugby day in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, which will feature former professional and international players from France and Japan.

The organisation was founded by François Trinh Duc, a former French international rugby player of Vietnamese origin.

Their socials said, “Join us from 11:00 AM for a day of rugby, food, and community. Expect rugby games, fun activities, and plenty of good vibes. This will be a celebration of sport, inclusivity, and connection in support of Rugby Cùng Nhau’s mission to empower underprivileged children through rugby and its values.”

They added that more than 30 retired professional rugby players from France and Japan will be joining us on the field for a special rugby day.

• Venue: Phu Nhuan Stadium, HCMC, Vietnam
• Date: Saturday 22 November 2025

Asian Rugby News 2025

• Hong Kong China Men’s XVs Representative Team Set For Debut at Kai Tak Stadium Against Japan XV in October 2025.
• Brave Blossoms Lipovitan D Tour 2025 Fixtures In Europe Confirmed.
• Japan Rugby Football Union Confirms It Will Bid To Host Men’s Rugby World Cup 2035.
• The Best Social 2025 Rugby Tournaments In Asia.