According to the organisers of the 2019 edition of the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens, this year’s event, which takes place on 13 and 14 April at the Singapore Sports Hub, is poised to be the best yet, both on and off the pitch.

Singapore Sports Hub is a fully integrated sports, entertainment and lifestyle hub with programming that comprises world class recreational and competitive events, as well as community games. Its vision is to become the region’s premiere sports, entertainment and lifestyle destination.

Scintillating Action In Singapore 

And the Singapore leg of the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens has produced some thrilling action in recent years. Underdog teams Kenya and Canada won the first two editions while 2018 ended in dramatic fashion when Fiji beat Australia by the slimmest of margins in what will be remembered as one of the greatest Sevens matches.

Said Bill Beaumont, the World Rugby Chairman, “The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is a sporting event like no other, showcasing the best Sevens teams in the world, and also delivering a unique experience for fans at each round, as the Series moves around the world.”

Exciting Programming And Line-Ups

At a recent media conference, event organisers Sport Singapore and the Singapore Sports Hub unveiled a series of exciting programming and entertainment acts when the series plays on our sunny island, come 13 & 14 April.

Said Lim Teck Yin, CEO, Sport Singapore, “A great city needs great sporting events. This is what brings the city to life and makes living here wonderful. We believe in the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens and we want it to be one of those great events that grow from strength to strength.”

He continued, “A weekend at the Singapore Rugby Sevens is one that promises not only world class sporting action, but also fun-filled activities for the whole family. Year after year, we see so many friends and families coming back because they have enjoyed themselves ands are thrilled by the world class rugby action on show.”

Dreamworks Headlines The Family Entertainment 

Headlining this year’s array of family entertainment will be Dreamworks, with a host of immersive experiences ranging from a stage appearance by Poppy and Branch from the Trolls franchise as well as meet and greet sessions with characters from some of the popular Dreamworks shows including Trolls, Shrek and Kung Fu Panda, amongst others.

To illustrate this point, Poppy and Branch came out to say hi to the media and other invited guests who were present during the press conference. Everyone ooh-ed and aah-ed when they saw the two characters. Subsequently, the two Trolls characters later took to the rugby pitch at the National Stadium for some sporting action of their own, to the delight of the photographers who were present.

As well, during the weekend of rugby action, patrons will be able to enjoy free all-day screening of popular Dreamworks television series such as Trolls: The Beat Goes On! and Dragons: Race To The Edge.

Music To Be Headed By Smash Mouth

Moreover, in addition to the line-up of family entertainment and world class rugby, fans can also expect a huge line-up of music and entertainment, headlined by the legendary several time Platinum American band, Smash Mouth, on Saturday. They are known for major hits such as All Star, Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby, Walking On the Sun and I’m A Believer.

Rock Of Ages To Feature, Too

Then on Sunday, Rock Of Ages, the band from the original cast from Broadway’s five time Tony Award nominated musical which was turned into the hit movie, will perform 80s Rock Classics.

Added Oon Jin Teik, CEO, Singapore Sports Hub, “Both of these are really big sets that will have the crowd singing along, I assure you.”

Splash Party

As well, for the first time, there will also be a Singapore Sevens Splash Party as part of the event and this will feature acclaimed artistes throughout the two days of the rugby. This is set to take place next to the Singapore Sports Hub’s Splash-N-Surf and everyone is invited to get wet.

At this area, live performances from well-known acts, roaming entertainment and a Big Screen show throughout the day will feature too, including chances to win a range of money-can’t-buy experiences and prizes.

Said Oon, “Spectators at the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens will be getting much more than just world class rugby action at the event this April.”

And as well, new spaces will also be erected at the Singapore Sports Hub to showcase varying content that aligns with the unique Sports, Entertainment and Lifestyle value proposition of the rugby event this year including experiential zones for the kids, enhanced food and beverage areas and lots of entertainment and music acts, too.

Extreme Energy And Fun

In all, the organisers are confident that the 2019 event will bring extreme energy and fun to the vibrant Singapore Sports Hub, promising something for the entire family to enjoy, whilst experiencing world class rugby action from the world’s top sixteen men’s Sevens teams. Spectators can expect an entertainment line-up and festival-like atmosphere that will be the biggest and best so far.

Said George Danapal, Chief Operating Officer, Singapore Rugby Union, “Very few sports get the spectators’ adrenaline going like Rugby Sevens. Coupled with the array of activities for the family, we look forward to seeing more people and families being part of the event and to growing their interest in the sport.”

2019 also marks the final year that Singapore is hosting a stop of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series. 

While the organisers have submitted a bid to continue hosting the event beyond 2019, the sports governing body, World Rugby, has yet to make an official announcement.

Rugby Growth In Singapore 

And in the long term, Sport Singapore hopes that the rugby scene in Singapore continues to grow for years to come, even after the tournament has left Singapore’s shores.

Said Martin Williams, Vice President, Singapore Rugby Union, “As the host union, Singapore Rugby Union would be supporting in any way that we can, to ensure the success of rugby in Singapore, for example, using this event to help develop grassroots rugby and give the chance to expose some of our national players and clubs to high level rugby, as well as the chance to learn from the pros in the sport.”

He continued, “By having Sport Singapore manage this year’s edition of the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens, we hope to be able to use their resources to reach out to a wider community and increase the followers at the event and ultimately the interest in the sport of rugby as a whole, in Singapore.”

Lim also echoes his sentiments, and he added, “Rugby has become known for being a tough sport with a lot of respect – for coaches, players and referees. As a sport, it speaks of the values that we believe here at Sport Singapore, and want our kids and society to grow up with. So in years to come, we will be working closely with rugby clubs and schools to grow the sport here.”

To illustrate this point, young rugby players from various clubs across the island, as well as retired players, was also invited to sit into the media conference and they were introduced during the session and also invited for photo opportunities, amidst the clapping of the crowd who had been present.

Tickets Now Available 

Family and Early bird packages are now available from S$19 for youth and S$29 for adults. 

Early bird discounts are available till 28 February via the Singapore Sevens website www.singapore7s.sg, Sports Hub Tickets website, www.sportshubtix.com, or via hotline at +65-31587888, Sports Hub Tickets Box Office at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, The Star Performing Arts Centre, Scotts Square Concierge Desk and all SingPost outlets across the island.