Ultimate Sevens has confirmed the venues and dates for its inaugural 2026 Championship, with the four events taking place in Madrid, Cardiff, Biarritz and London, with six new franchises for women and men competing.
The new Sevens franchise tournament gets underway on 5th September 2026 in Leganés, Madrid, before heading to Cardiff Arms Park (12 September), Biarritz (18 September), and the final weekend will be held at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in London (24 September).
The capacities of the stadiums are between 12,000-17,000, which is smart as many of the current HSBC SVNS venues are too large for the fan base in their respective host cities.
Our ambition has always been to create something that elevates rugby sevens, celebrates the best players in the world and delivers a live experience that feels fresh, accessible and unforgettable. This September, that becomes real. The venues have been chosen carefully for their connection to the local communities and their ambition to deliver a first-class experience for fans.”
Ultimate Sevens 2026 – Marquee Players
As previously announced, the organisers have promised that many of the world’s best players will be involved, and they have been slowly releasing their names. They include Maddi Levi, Manu Moreno, Henry Hutchison, Lucas Lacamp, Krissy
Australian star Maddi Levi said: “I’m so excited to get going with Ultimate Sevens and to bring the sport all over Europe to new audiences. Having men and women on an equal footing, with teams sharing the same stage at the same time is perfect for the game and exactly what it needs to grow.”
Several of the players are competing in the Japan Taiyo Women’s Sevens Series and the recently concluded second season of the Indian Rugby Premiere League in Asia.
Tom Mitchell, Sports and Innovation Director at Ultimate Sevens, said: “Marquee players are incredibly important to what we are building. They set the standard, bring quality, leadership and personality, and help people understand why sevens is such a special sport.
This group represents so much of what Ultimate Sevens is about. Speed, skill, ambition and character. They are players who can change a game in seconds, but they are also people who can inspire the next generation and help take the Championship to new audiences.”
Ultimate Sevens Marquee Players Confirmed so far:
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Abbie Brown
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Charlton Kerr
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Faith Nathan
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Heidi Dennis
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Henry Hutchison
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Isabella Nasser,
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Jazmin Felix-Hotham
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Jimena Blanco-Hortiguera
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Krissy Scurfield
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Lucas Lacamp
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Luciano Gonzalez
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Maddi Levi
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Manu Moreno
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Roderick Solo
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Stephen Tomasin
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Thalia Costa
2026 Ultimate Sevens Championship Schedule
Barney Pascall, added; “Making the Championship a place for new and existing rugby fans to access the sport has been part of our ambition from day one. We are bringing world-class athletes into brilliant venues, highlighting the true short form version of rugby, a sport born fast.
We want rugby supporters, young sports fans, families and people looking for an enhanced kind of live sporting experience to feel this is for them.”
Round 1 – Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Date: Saturday 5th September 2026
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Venue: Estadio Ontime Butarque Stadium
- Capacity: 12,000
Eduardo Cosín, President of C.D. Leganés, explained: “This agreement marks another step forward in our commitment to establishing C.D. Leganés and, in particular, our stadium, as a leading venue in the Community of Madrid for hosting major sporting events beyond football.
We are confident that all fans will enjoy a spectacular show and a true celebration of sport at the Ontime Butarque Stadium.”
Round 2 – Cardiff, Wales
- Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
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Venue: Cardiff Arms Park
- Capacity: 12,000
Round 3 – Biarritz, France
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Date: Friday 18th September 2026
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Venue: Parc des Sports Aguilera
- Capacity: 13,400
Cyril Arrosteguy, Président of Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque, said: “It’s great to be hosting the Ultimate Sevens Championship in our city next September. France is a true rugby heartland, and we’re proud to be bringing sevens fans and rugby fans in general a new, fast-paced and exciting game featuring the very best players on the planet.
The city of Biarritz has so much to offer the rugby world, and we can’t wait for the Championship to visit Parc des Sports Aguilera.”
Round 4 – Brentford, London, UK
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Date: Thursday 24th September 2026
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Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
- Capacity: 17,000
Ultimate Sevens said that club, ticket and broadcast details will be announced soon.
Sevens Rugby News 2026
- Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2026 Round 2 Tochigi.
- HSBC Rugby Premier League Season 2026: Men’s Squad Previews.
- Ultimate Sevens Confirms Teams and World Rugby Sanctioning.
- Ultimate Sevens Digital Platform & Production Partners for Inaugural Season Announced.
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