The Competition
London City 7s brings thirteen teams to the heart of the City for one day of elite rugby sevens — six core professional sides, three UK challenger teams and a four-team women's invitational.
Watch
The launch film
Get a feel for London City 7s in 60 seconds.
The format
How the competition works
Thirteen teams across three competitions, all decided in a single day. Pool stages feed straight into the knockouts, with the finals played out under lights before the after party.
6
Core pro teams
Six professional sides from around Europe form the core of the men's competition.
3
UK challenger teams
Three UK challenger sides join the draw for a shot at the title.
4
Women's invitational teams
Four representative & invitational sides contest the women's competition.
The line-up
The 2026 teams
From Top 14 giants to international invitational sides — here's who's coming to the HAC. Explore the line-up on the map, or browse the full list below.
Challenger & invitational teams
- Barbarians
- British Army
- Uber Boat Scimitar Storm
- RGH Global
Core pro teams
- TBC
Premiership side — to be announcedTBC
To be confirmed
A Premiership club completes the men's line-up — confirmed 30 July 2026.
- TBC
Premiership side — to be announcedTBC
To be confirmed
A Premiership club completes the men's line-up — confirmed 30 July 2026.
UK challenger teams
British Army
United Kingdom
The Army's finest, bringing physicality and pace to the challenger draw.
Visit club site ↗- LON
Uber Boat Scimitar Storm
London
Fast, fearless invitational sevens outfit.
Women's invitational teams
- ENG
Hammerhead 7s
England
Elite invitational women's sevens programme.
- TBC
Team to be announcedTBC
To be confirmed
The final women's side — confirmed 30 July 2026.
- TBC
Team to be announcedTBC
To be confirmed
The final women's side — confirmed 30 July 2026.
Fixtures
Match centre coming soon
The full fixture list, pools and live match centre will be published closer to the event. Register your interest on the home page to be the first to know.
New to sevens?
Rugby sevens, explained
Rugby sevens is a fast-paced version of rugby union played with seven players per team instead of fifteen, on a normal full-size pitch. Because there are fewer players in the same space, the game is quicker, more open and packed with tries.
Each match is short and intense — two halves of just seven minutes. That means a whole tournament of thrilling games can be played in a single day, which is exactly what makes London City 7s work.
- 7
- Players per team
- 14 min
- Match length
- 5
- Points per try
- 2016
- Olympic sport since
Non-stop action
With only seven players on a full-size pitch, there's acres of space — expect breakaway tries, big hits and constant end-to-end play.
Easy to follow
Short matches and simple scoring make sevens one of the most beginner-friendly sports to watch live. No prior knowledge needed.
A premium day in the City
Fast, high-scoring rugby with great food, drink and an electric City crowd — a polished day out from first whistle to final.
Common questions
Rugby 7s FAQ
The questions first-time fans ask most, answered simply.
What is rugby sevens?
Rugby sevens is a fast, high-scoring variant of rugby union played with seven players per side instead of fifteen, on a full-size pitch. Matches are short — two halves of seven minutes — which makes for an intense, end-to-end spectacle.
How long is a rugby sevens match?
A standard rugby sevens match lasts 14 minutes, split into two seven-minute halves with a short half-time break. Finals are sometimes played over two ten-minute halves.
How is rugby sevens scored?
Scoring is the same as fifteen-a-side rugby: a try is worth five points, a conversion two, and penalties or drop goals three. In sevens, conversions are taken as drop kicks.
How is rugby sevens different from rugby union?
Sevens uses seven players instead of fifteen and much shorter matches, so there is far more space on the pitch. This rewards speed, fitness and individual flair, leading to more tries and a faster game.
Is rugby sevens an Olympic sport?
Yes. Rugby sevens has been an Olympic sport since the 2016 Rio Games for both men and women, which has helped grow its global popularity.
Do I need to know the rules to enjoy London City 7s?
Not at all. The short, high-scoring format and festival atmosphere make sevens one of the easiest sports to enjoy for the first time. Our commentary and big screens keep everyone in the action.
See it live at London City 7s
The best way to understand sevens is to feel it. Grab your tickets and experience the speed, tries and atmosphere for yourself.