Fast rugby, festival energy and family-friendly fun are set to collide once again as HSBC SVNS Singapore 2026 returns to the National Stadium at The Kallang on 31 January and 1 February. Billed as the “Family SVNS”, Singapore’s stop on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series has carved out a distinct identity on the global circuit — one that blends elite sport with community, entertainment and shared experiences across generations.

“For us, this has never just been a rugby tournament,” said Yazed Osman, Group Head of Events & Placemaking and Place Management at The Kallang Group. “It’s about how people feel when they walk into the stadium, whether they’re hardcore fans, parents with young kids, or someone watching rugby for the first time.”

The tournament was officially launched this week at Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, bringing together leaders from The Kallang Group, World Rugby and Singapore Rugby Union, alongside team captains and ambassadors. World Rugby’s Sam Pinder, HSBC SVNS General Manager, said Singapore continues to play a vital role on the circuit.

“With two thrilling rounds already setting the tone this season, HSBC SVNS Singapore is set to deliver another unforgettable chapter,” he said. “Fans can expect fast-paced encounters, high-stakes moments and the world’s best rugby sevens teams in action.”

This year’s draw promises blockbuster match-ups, with reigning men’s champions South Africa set to clash early with Fiji, the defending HSBC SVNS Singapore winners. On the women’s side, champions New Zealand face stiff competition from France, Canada and Great Britain, setting the stage for potential upsets.

Yet while the rugby remains world-class, Singapore’s Sevens has deliberately evolved beyond the traditional tournament format. “Every city has its own DNA,” Yazed said. “Hong Kong has more than 50 years of Sevens heritage. For us, the question was how to engage new fans in a more meaningful, more wholesome way.”

That thinking has shaped the Family SVNS, an event where rugby is the anchor, but the experience stretches across fan zones, fringe activities and community programmes throughout The Kallang precinct. “We look at this as a destination, not just an annual event,” Yazed said. “You see families coming back year after year, kids growing up with the tournament. That’s how a culture forms.”

For Singapore Rugby Union, the impact of hosting an international tournament on home soil goes well beyond the weekend. “When you host something of this scale, it brings the entire rugby community together,” said Sidney Kumar, General Manager of Singapore Rugby Union. “Every child, every parent, every referee, every club — everyone is involved in rugby around the Sevens.”

Sidney said the expanded slate of activities surrounding the event has helped create clearer pathways for young players. “A child can pick up rugby in school, join a club, and then come here and watch international stars playing on the same pitch,” he said. “Suddenly, that dream becomes very real.”

Following the tournament, the National Stadium will open its doors to schools for matches and learning journeys, including fixtures from the National School Games. For the first time, local club league matches will also be played on the main stadium pitch. “How often can students say they’ve played at the National Stadium?” Yazed said. “Some of them come from pitches with potholes, and suddenly they’re stepping onto a pristine field where international stars just played. If you lose the community, then we’re just a venue for hire. Community is the foundation of everything we do.”

Among those present at the launch were defending champions Fiji and New Zealand, whose captains spoke warmly about returning to Singapore. “We’ve had a strong start to the season and hope to continue this momentum as we defend our title in sunny Singapore,” said Fiji men’s captain Jeremaia Matana. “Playing at the National Stadium is always special. Fans of all ages come out to support, it’s easy to see why this tournament is called the Family SVNS.”

New Zealand women’s captain Risi Pouri-Lane echoed those sentiments, describing Singapore as both exciting and familiar. “There’s a real buzz about returning here,” she said. “Seeing landmarks like Marina Bay or Gardens by the Bay while competing on the World Series is very special.”

As part of the launch, captains also took part in a photoshoot at the National Stadium, a venue whose distinctive domed architecture has hosted some of Singapore’s most iconic sporting, cultural and community moments.

Adding a lighter touch to proceedings were official HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens Ambassadors Ruby Tui, Jerry Tuwai and Nathan Hirayama, who brought humour and personality to a lively Q&A session. From debating pre-match playlists; gospel music, Bryan Adams and We Are the Champions all made an appearance, to post-match recovery rituals ranging from locker-room beers to protein shakes and orange juice, the ambassadors offered a glimpse into life on the Sevens circuit beyond the try-line. “These are players who were once underdogs and became champions,” Yazed said. “Now they’re back as ambassadors, inspiring the next generation, not just to watch rugby, but to be part of it.”

As its first major sporting event under The Kallang’s new brand identity, HSBC SVNS Singapore 2026 will also introduce new entertainment elements, including expanded programming during the “golden hour” between matches. “We always start with the fundamentals: the rugby, the operations,” Yazed said. “From there, we build, listen to feedback and improve every year.”

As anticipation builds towards the end of January, organisers are clear on what they want fans to take away. “We want people to walk in and feel alive,” Yazed said. “When kids are running around, families are laughing, and the stadium is buzzing — that’s when you know the Family SVNS is doing exactly what it’s meant to do.”

Photo Credit: The Kallang

HSBC SVNS 2026 plays from 31st January to 1st February 2026 at The Kallang. Tickets available here