The Competition
London City 7s brought ten teams to the heart of the City for one day of elite rugby sevens, an eight-team men's competition of three professional sides and five UK challenger teams, plus a two-team women's competition.
Watch
The launch film
Get a feel for London City 7s in 60 seconds.
The format
How the competition works
Ten teams across two competitions, all decided in a single day. Pool stages fed straight into the knockouts, with the finals played out under lights before the after party.
3
Core pro teams
Three professional sides form the core of the men's competition.
5
UK challenger teams
Five UK challenger sides join the draw for a shot at the title.
2
Women's invitational teams
Two 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 teams
- Apache 7s
- Uber Boat Scimitar Storm
- RGH Shogun
- Jesters
- Seventies
Women's teams
- LooseHeadz
- WIC Rugby
Core pro teams
UK challenger teams
Apache 7s
United Kingdom
Apache 7s, an invitational sevens side, join the UK challenger draw.
Visit club site ↗- LON
Uber Boat Scimitar Storm
London
Uber Boat Scimitar Storm are a high-performance international men's 7s programme run by Scimitar Sportswear.
Visit club site ↗ 
RGH Shogun
London
RGH Shogun is one of the most established invitational 7s teams in the world, giving a pathway to countless internationals.
Visit club site ↗- UNI
Jesters
United Kingdom
The Jesters, a long-running invitational sevens club, join the challenger line-up.
- UNI
Seventies
United Kingdom
Seventies bring their invitational sevens pedigree to the challenger draw.
Women's invitational teams
LooseHeadz
England
LooseHeadz, rugby's mental-health charity, field an invitational women's sevens side.
Visit club site ↗- ENG
WIC Rugby
England
WIC Rugby's invitational women's sevens side.
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.