If anyone thought rugby sevens was just about tackles and tries, Day One of the HSBC SVNS Singapore 2026 came ready to change minds. From edge-of-your-seat finishes on the field to a carnival atmosphere off it, The National Stadium at Kallang transformed into a full-scale weekend festival where sport, entertainment and community collided.

The loudest roar of the day belonged to the men from Fiji. In what will go down as one of the tournament’s early classics, Fiji edged out South Africa 24–19 in Pool A after a heart-stopping golden-point extra time. Locked at 19-all at full time, the match had fans on their feet before Fiji finally broke the deadlock, sending the stadium into celebration mode.

On the women’s side, New Zealand reminded everyone why they’re reigning champions, absolutely dominating Pool B. The Black Ferns Sevens opened with a jaw-dropping 64–0 win over Great Britain, before brushing aside Canada and France to top their pool with a staggering 138 points across three matches.

Adding even more spice to the weekend, the SEA 7s tournament ran alongside the global series—and delivered its own share of drama. Thailand stormed to the Women’s title with a commanding 39–0 victory over Malaysia, while Malaysia flipped the script in the Men’s final, clinching a thrilling win over Thailand to take the crown.

Aspiring young players also got their moment, jumping into Ruck and Rumble matches and soaking up the atmosphere on a world-class stage.

Dubbed Family SVNS for good reason, the event felt less like a traditional sports tournament and more like a giant playground. Fans showed up in everything from banana suits to full cow costumes, waving flags, dancing in the aisles and turning the stands into a sea of colour.

Kids met beloved characters like Peppa Pig, George Pig and My Little Pony, while the unmistakable presence of Optimus Prime drew gasps (and countless selfies). Teens tackled Mandai’s Ranger Buddies missions, tried tag rugby, or locked into PS5 gaming stations, while rugby legends Ruby Tui, Nathan Hirayama and Jerry Tuwai popped up around the stadium to surprise fans. And no festival is complete without food. From smoky bites at Meatsmith to sweet treats from Burnt Ends Bakery, plus ice-cold drinks at the Beach Club, no one went hungryor thirsty.

Beyond the spectacle, Family SVNS revolves around community and youth development. In the lead-up to the tournament, The Kallang Group rolled out programmes across schools and fan zones, welcoming students from 11 schools, community sports networks and SportCares beneficiaries into the game.

Coaching clinics led by World Rugby officials helped train the next generation—not just of players, but coaches and officials too. And the momentum doesn’t stop here. From 2 February, the National Stadium will host the National School Games, followed by the Singapore Rugby Union National League U15s kicking off on 7 February.

The action resumes tomorrow at 12.00pm (GMT+8) with Fiji facing Great Britain, building toward the evening’s gold-medal showdowns: 7.05pm for the women and 7.41pm for the men. Young local talents will also take the spotlight in the Singapore Rugby Union Schools U14 Sevens, proving the future of Singapore rugby is already charging ahead.

With limited tickets still available and live streams for fans at home, one thing’s clear: if Day One was anything to go by, Family SVNS Singapore 2026 is the place to be whether you came for the rugby, the vibes, or Optimus Prime.

Featured Photo Credit: HSBC SVNS
All other Photo Credit (except where stated): The Kallang

HSBC SVNS 2026 plays from 31st January to 1st February 2026 at The Kallang. Tickets available here. View all scores and the match schedule here,