Rugby Canada and Province of B.C. announce official signing of 4-year licensing extension with BC Place
December 3rd, 2019
Rugby Canada and the Canada Sevens Organizing Committee announced today that they have officially re-signed with BC Place Stadium to confirm an additional 4-year commitment as an Event Partner of the HSBC Canada Sevens tournament, ensuring that the wildly popular Canadian event on the 10-stop world tour remains in Vancouver throughout the duration of Rugby Canada’s recently acquired 4-year hosting rights of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The Tournament will also receive $200,000 in funding from B.C.’s Tourism Events Program for the promotion and successful execution of events taking place throughout B.C., to raise awareness and encourage travel to B.C. communities.
Today’s announcements come just one day before local tournament organizers launch single-day ticket sales for the 2020 HSBC Canada Sevens taking place March 7th - 8th. Tickets go on-sale Decemeber 4th at 10am via www.canadasevens.com.
"The success of the HSBC Canada Sevens tournament over the last four years has been the result of dedicated partners who have shared our vision of bringing a world-class event to the City of Vancouver and delivering a weekend packed with high-performance sport and unprecedented celebration to fans both local and from afar," said Allen Vansen, CEO, Rugby Canada. "Support from all levels of government, working in collaboration with Sport Hosting Vancouver, have been instrumental in making the HSBC Canada Sevens what it is today. Their continued commitment to HSBC Canada Sevens is ensuring that we can collectively build on what has become an absolute must-attend on the Canadian entertainment calendar, while creating huge economic and social benefits to the local community."
The BC government joins Sport Hosting Vancouver in supporting the tournament for a fifth consecutive year. Sport Hosting Vancouver works to strategically attract, support and grow a diverse portfolio of international sport events that generate incremental business, create jobs and boost the economy whilst delivering impacts and legacy that benefit all of Vancouver and enhance our city’s international profile.
"I’m thrilled to know that BC Place will be hosting this amazing event for another four years," said Premier John Horgan. "Our government is proud to support events like the HSBC Canada Sevens, which inspire young athletes, attract visitors to our province and spur local economic activity."
"The HSBC Canada Sevens is a staple in our annual event calendar, continually delivering a world-class rugby experience in Vancouver. We are proud to partner with and support Rugby Canada to utilize this international sporting event to foster sport development and drive our economic and social objectives," said Michelle Collens, Sport Hosting Vancouver. "On behalf of the City of Vancouver and our Sport Hosting Vancouver partnership, we look forward to the next four years of hosting and welcoming fans from around the world to experience rugby week in Vancouver."
With strong local support, the tournament also continues to flourish with both returning and new corporate partners. Returning for another 4 years as a Premier Partner of the HSBC Canada Sevens, Grosvenor are building on their strong commitment to community as the new presenting partner of the in-stadium 50-50 draw, with all funds raised benefitting their charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities BC and Yukon, as well as regular recipients BC Rugby.
"We are thrilled to be entering our fifth year partnering with HSBC Canada Sevens. Supporting the local sports community and contributing to the positive impact of our city is very important to us," said Michael Ward, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Grosvenor’s Vancouver office. “Ronald McDonald House is an organization that is very close to our hearts, the dedicated staff and the families who stay there are inspirational. Funds raised by the 50-50 draw will allow the RMH BC team to continue to provide unparalleled support and care for seriously ill children and their families."
Another new local sponsor for 2020 is Medallia, who join the Canada Sevens family as a Signature Partner. Rugby Canada also acknowledges the Government of Canada’s continued support of this event via the Sport Canada Hosting Program.
The 2019-20 Series is the final season before the world’s best sevens teams compete for Olympic glory at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan this summer. Both the Canadian Men and Women have secured their Olympic qualification, and the 2020 HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver on March 7th-8th, (Men’s) and Langford on May 2nd-3rd (Women’s) will be the last opportunity for fans to see their Canadian teams compete on home soil prior to the Olympic Games. The first combined event (Men’s and Women’s) of the season gets underway in Dubai on December 5th and Canadian fans can follow all the action on www.cbcsports.ca and the CBC Gem app.
"As we enter an Olympic year, we will be doing everything we can to create the best possible conditions for our men’s and women’s teams to succeed this summer in Tokyo. The 2020 HSBC Sevens Series, and the Canadian stops in particular, are important building blocks for our high-performance preparation, and the quality of our Canadian events is largely in part to the outstanding support we receive from both our corporate and government partners," continued Vansen. "On behalf of the entire rugby community and sports enthusiast at large, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our important partners for their continued support."
Tickets
Having hosted record rugby crowds from 2016 - 2019, consumer demand remains consistent with previous years. This year organizers have accelerated the on-sale date of single-day tickets to meet demand, beginning Wednesday, December 4th at 10AM. Single-day tickets are only $70 for over 8 hours of rugby action and only available in the General Admission sections of the stadium. A limited number of 2-day tournament passes remain for purchase in other seating sections. For full details, visit www.canadasevens.com
The Teams
The HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver will host 16 of the world’s best sevens teams. New this year, Canada will welcome Ireland in its first full season appearance on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series as a core team, having achieved status at last year’s qualification tournament in Hong Kong. Canada also welcomes Japan as the 16th invitational side for the 2020 HSBC Canada Sevens, supporting the Japanese team in their final preparations to host and compete at the 2020 Olympic Games.
About HSBC Canada Sevens
HSBC Canada Sevens is a two-day indoor rugby sevens tournament, hosted March 7th-8th, 2020 at the world-class BC Place Stadium, host venue to Canada’s most prestigious events, and will feature 16 of the world’s top men’s sevens teams. The HSBC Canada Sevens will be the sixth stop in a 10-stop world tour as part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Sevens rugby, a fast-paced and shorter version of traditional rugby with only seven players per side, has built a huge international audience through the success of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, which attracts large audiences in markets around the world. The 2020 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series kicks off December 5th in Dubai, and the full ten-stop tour schedule of the 2020 Series can be found at www.world.rugby/sevens-series/calendar
For more information, please contact: media@canadasevens.com