Tokyo 2020 Rugby Sevens Olympics Schedule Out

24th July 2018

Sport returns to Games roster after successful Rio 2016 debut

Kenya Shujaa star, Collins Injera in action at the 2017/18 HSBC World Sevens Series leg of London. He played at the Rio 2016 Olympics. PHOTO/File
Kenya Shujaa star, Collins Injera in action at the 2017/18 HSBC World Sevens Series leg of London. He played at the Rio 2016 Olympics. PHOTO/File
SUMMARY
  • In a reverse of the Rio 2016 format, the men’s competition will be played over the first three days, while the women’s competition will take place over the final three days
  • World Rugby joins other sporting disciplines in celebrating two years to go until Tokyo 2020 
  • Rugby sevens on a high after a spectacular and record-breaking Rugby World Cup Sevens that attracted over 100,000 fans in San Francisco
  • Australia women and Fiji men claimed first ever Rugby 7s gold in Brazil


TOKYO, Japan- The competition schedule for rugby sevens at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been unveiled with two years to go as the sport features yet again following its successful re-introduction at the Rio 2016 Games.

This comes with World Rugby and the global rugby family joining other sporting disciplines in celebrating two years to go until Tokyo 2020 on Tuesday.

With rugby sevens on a high after a spectacular and record-breaking Rugby World Cup Sevens that attracted over 100,000 fans in San Francisco, players and fans alike have been taking to social media to mark the milestone.

Sevens made an impressive Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016 with Australia’s women claiming the first rugby gold medal since the 1924 Games and Fiji’s men claiming their nation’s first-ever Olympic medal, with a historic gold that captured hearts around the world.

Last week, the International Olympic Committee approved the competition schedule for all 33 sports at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and rugby sevens will again feature in the first week of competition with matches being played across six days of two sessions per day from July 27 to August 1.

In a reverse of the Rio 2016 format, the men’s competition will be played over the first three days, while the women’s competition will take place over the final three days, with the medals day being played on the iconic ‘Super Saturday’.

Outstanding Games

“This is the moment that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games comes alive for our players and fans around the world. With two years to go, the competition dates are set, excitement is building, and I'm anticipating an outstanding sevens and Games.

“By alternating the schedule, the world’s top women’s teams have the opportunity to shine on ‘Super Saturday’, the biggest moment of the Games, which is extremely exciting for the advancement and popularity of women’s sevens,” World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said.

To mark the two years to go milestone the global rugby family is supporting Tokyo 2020’s social media campaign by encouraging players and unions to post images with the international sign for peace as demonstrated by Japan men’s rugby sevens captain Dai Ozawa above at the Rugby World Cup Sevens last weekend.

The ‘V’ sign is the most popular gesture made in Japan when a photo is taken and also symbolises the number two. The campaign will use the hashtags #Tokyo2020 and #2yearstogo.

-Report by World Rugby