Rugby Sevens is playing an increasingly influential role in the evolution of the game in Western Australia, linking community participation, regional growth, and elite international competition. As the Sevens calendar gathers momentum in 2026, RugbyWA is focused on strengthening the structures that support sustainable growth, deeper engagement, and Western Australia’s emergence as a recognised international rugby destination.
The WA 7s will be the first rugby event of 2026, launching a year of Sevens activity across the state. As the feature event of the 2025–26 West Coast 7s Series, the tournament brings together junior and senior teams from metropolitan and regional clubs, celebrating club connection, accessibility, and the fast, inclusive nature of the Sevens format.
Designed as a community-led event, the WA 7s continues to play a key role in developing players, officials, and volunteers, while reinforcing Sevens as an accessible pathway within the broader rugby ecosystem. The tournament provides meaningful competitive opportunities and supports the ongoing growth and depth of club rugby across Western Australia.
This year’s WA 7s also represents a significant step forward for participation pathways, with a local school team entering a Rugby Sevens tournament for the first time outside the traditional school competition structure. The inclusion reflects stronger alignment between school programs and community rugby, offering young athletes new opportunities to engage with the Sevens format and transition into club and pathway environments.
Looking beyond the opening event of the year, the West Coast 7s Series will relaunch in July 2026, continuing its role as a foundation for community Sevens across the state. A strong regional focus remains central to the series, with three tournaments scheduled across the South West and Great Southern, reinforcing RugbyWA’s commitment to delivering high-quality competition and development opportunities beyond the metropolitan area.
The 2026 WA 7s will be held on January 31 and February 1 at Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex, setting the tone for a year of Sevens that prioritises connection, development, and participation.
At the international level, HSBC SVNS Perth continues to secure Western Australia’s place on the global rugby calendar. Returning to HBF Park on February 7 and 8, 2026, the tournament will once again welcome the world’s leading men’s and women’s Sevens teams. With the event now confirmed in Perth through to 2028, the state’s status as a long-term host of world-class rugby is firmly established.
RugbyWA is also strengthening the link between major events and the local game. In the lead-up to HSBC SVNS Perth, international players will engage in school workshops across WA, building awareness and excitement among young people. The tournament will also feature a community activation at Wests Scarborough, where players from all 16 international teams will connect directly with the grassroots rugby community at a local club.
Community involvement will extend onto the field at HBF Park, with local club teams participating in Tri Tag matches and Get Into Rugby activations as part of the event celebrations. These activations recognise the central role clubs play in the rugby ecosystem and provide grassroots participants with a unique opportunity to experience the international stage.
RugbyWA’s Sevens pathway continues to strengthen at the school level, with two Schoolgirls Sevens teams set to represent Western Australia at the Australian Schools Rugby Union Championships in August, competing in the Under 16s and Under 18s competitions. Building on the momentum of last year’s championships - where WA returned to the national stage with girls’ Sevens teams for the first time and delivered highly competitive performances - the 2026 campaign reflects the rapid growth of female participation and talent development across the state.
These squads represent an important link between school programs, community Sevens events such as the WA 7s, and the international inspiration provided by HSBC SVNS Perth. By providing young athletes with exposure to high-performance environments early in their development, RugbyWA is creating clear, connected pathways that support progression from schools into club rugby, pathway programs, and future elite opportunities, reinforcing Sevens as a cornerstone of WA’s long-term rugby strategy.
Together, these opportunities highlight a fully connected Sevens pathway in action - from local clubs and regions to the world stage. They demonstrate how community rugby, regional development, and major events can work in alignment to grow participation, inspire future generations, and deliver lasting value across the game.
As Western Australia looks ahead to an extended global rugby window, with HSBC SVNS Perth secured through to 2028 and further international opportunities on the horizon, Sevens rugby remains a powerful driver of local impact and global connection.
