| One of the most spectacular rugby actions in | | | | prompted the organizers to again relocate |
| the world kicks off each year in Hong Kong at | | | | their games venue. The stadium was rebuilt in |
| Hong Kong rugby sevens. This highly | | | | 1994 with a seating capacity of 40,000 and |
| acclaimed sporting event has retained its | | | | has been the home for the sevens since then. |
| position as one of the most dazzling and | | | | |
| recognized events in the rugby calendar. | | | | The game of Rugby sevens is intense, exciting |
| | | | and fast. It became apparent that sevens was |
| The tournament was the birth child of two | | | | a great medium to develop world class rugby |
| prominent figures Tokkie Smith, the Hong Kong | | | | players. Players like Jonah Lomu, Christian |
| Rugby Football Union Chairman and Ian Gow, a | | | | Cullen, George Greagan showcased their |
| tobacco company executive at Rothman's | | | | amazing abilities in sevens games. The IRB |
| Tobacco. The idea for a world class sevens | | | | has recognized the importance of the sevens |
| tournament was brought by Gow at a | | | | game for the growth of Rugby as a sport. They |
| pre-luncheon drink with Tokkie Smith. The | | | | initiated World Seven Series in 2000 on the |
| idea was quickly realized just within a year | | | | 25th Anniversary of sevens rugby in Hong Kong |
| and Hong Kong Sevens was born. The Hong Kong | | | | emphasizing the contribution made by Hong |
| Sevens started out in 1976 with clubs from | | | | Kong Sevens to the rugby world. |
| Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Japan, | | | | |
| Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Fiji. Cantabrians, a | | | | Hong Kong sevens is held annually during the |
| provincial team from New Zealand clenched the | | | | last weekend of March and the spirit of the |
| first Hong Kong Sevens cup in 1976. The | | | | game can be seen everywhere as fans from all |
| tournament grew in popularity over the years | | | | over the world flock to this bustling |
| and the increase in fans and spectators | | | | metropolis. Hotels, restaurants, shops and |
| prompted the organizers to move the games | | | | malls located all over the city create an |
| from its original venue at Hong Kong Football | | | | excellent environment for tourist to shop, |
| Club to the Hong Kong Government Stadium. | | | | dine and have a great time while attending |
| | | | this two day rugby action. |
| By this time Hong Kong Sevens had made a name | | | | |
| for itself and it had become a highly | | | | Several well known Hong Kong hotels are |
| acclaimed rugby event in Asia. The popularity | | | | located close by to the Hong Kong Stadium and |
| grew each year with fans attending the event | | | | Cosmopolitan Hotel is a prominent hotel |
| form all over the world. The increase in | | | | offering a great range of services and offers |
| ticket sales and huge attendance of fans | | | | during the sevens season. |