Emirates Dubai 7s set for 2022 edition

The Emirates Dubai 7s, part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, is set to return to the UAE over the long National Day weekend from Thursday, December 1 to Saturday, December 3.

With over 100,000 fans expected to attend this year’s festival, fans and visitors can look forward to an exciting weekend of music alongside the rugby action on Pitch 1 and 2.

The 2022 edition will deliver an amplified experience with additional entertainment stands and activations for children and young adults, including a new Hops & Food Market, the invitational team party tent, as well as a new stage called 'The House'.

Globally Acclaimed Musical Performances

The festival will host an entertaining line-up of international artists and DJs, including world-class performances and popular hits from The Cuban Brothers, Gorgon City and Craig David presents TS5.

The famous duo, Gorgon City  are set to kick off the entertainment on Friday, December 2 at Frequency on 8, a visual and audio experience, starting at 10:00 pm.

On Saturday, December 3, The Cuban Brothers, will perform at Beats on Two, a unique ‘Ibiza style’ bar concept which overlooks all the action on Pitch 2, between 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm.

Closing this year’s festival, one of the biggest British artists of all time, Craig David presents TS5 will bring soul, funk and hip-hop hits to Frequency on 8 at 9:30 pm.

In addition, the fan favourite ‘Rugby Rocks’ stage will showcase the very best local talent along with the world-famous ‘Heineken House’ blasting out classic house tunes all weekend long.

Rugby Matches

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will be the centrepiece of the Emirates Dubai 7s, which has hosted the series since its inception in 1999, as some of the world’s best rugby 7s players take to the pitch from December 2-3.

The 16-team men’s competition involves four pools of four teams each, including current number one-ranking and 2022 Series champions Australia, Olympic gold medallists Fiji and third-seed France.

Twelve women’s teams will be divided into three pools of four from countries including Australia, the USA, Canada, China, France, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil, Fiji, Ireland, Spain and Japan.

Matches will be played across two pitches and will kick off at 9:00 am UAE time on Friday, December 2 with Ireland competing against Spain in women’s Pool C.

Following two full days of action-packed rugby matches the women’s final will take place at The Sevens Stadium at 6:56 pm on Saturday, December 3, followed by the men’s final at 7:26 pm.

Invitational Tournament

Participation in sports is also growing at the festival, with the addition of a new inclusive fitness competition, WODON3, for fitness elites as well as novice athletes looking to push their limits.

This will join the Invitational Tournament favourites of Rugby 7s, 10s, Netball presented by Nakheel Community Management and Cricket presented by Dulsco, featuring male and female participants from 32 countries.