For immediate release

Rugby Canada secures hosting rights to HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event for four more years; Grosvenor and Sport Hosting Vancouver re-sign as Premier Partners for the record breaking HSBC Canada Sevens that will continue until 2023.

March 6, 2019, Vancouver, BC – With just days remaining before the fourth and final year of its four-year hosting agreement with World Rugby, Rugby Canada announced today that Canada will again host one of 10 stops on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series from 2020 to 2023. The successful tender has been awarded to Rugby Canada after year-over-year growth and momentum, breaking records as the largest rugby event in Canada for three consecutive years. The announcement took place early Wednesday morning, against a backdrop of an HSBC Celebration of Rugby, which saw 50 BC youth participating in an interactive skills clinic with members of Canada’s national men’s and women’s teams.

“The HSBC Canada Sevens Tournament has been a game changer on so many levels, and we’d like to thank World Rugby, HSBC and the global Series partners for the opportunity to once again host this great event for another 4 years,” said Allen Vansen, CEO of Rugby Canada. “The success of this event is due to so many people and organizations. From the world’s best athletes and fans who shine on and off the field of play, to the dedicated partners and sponsors who are critical in bringing the event to life, to the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make this event world class – a heartfelt thanks to all for their collective commitment to excellence.”

Sandra Stuart, HSBC Bank Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, added: “The Sevens Series in Canada has quickly become one of the most anticipated events each year. We’re excited to renew our partnership with Canada Sevens to further grow and celebrate the sport at all levels for years to come.”

Rugby Canada also announced today the re-signing of two tournament Premier Partners – Sport Hosting Vancouver, a partnership between Tourism Vancouver, The Vancouver Hotel Destination Association and the City of Vancouver, BC PavCo, PNE and UBC, that works to attract, develop and support world-class sport events in Vancouver; and Grosvenor, one of the world’s largest privately owned property businesses who develop, manage and invest in property in more than 60 cities around the world. Earlier this year, at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, HSBC also confirmed their commitment as title partner HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.”

“The re-signing of Sport Hosting Vancouver and Grosvenor are a testament to the strong leadership they have demonstrated to date, and the important role they will play as we prepare for the next four-year cycle,” added John Furlong, Chairman of the Canada Sevens Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to have them back on board, and grateful for their commitment to ensuring that from the moment the worlds’ best sevens players touch down at YVR to the moment they leave, they are treated to a uniquely Canadian experience from a world class city with the worlds’ best fans!”

In its’ first three years, The HSBC Canada Sevens tournament has continually raised the bar for rugby in Canada, sparking greater awareness and growth while generating more than $24M in economic activity in BC on an annual basis. The 2018 event in Vancouver saw more than 5,000 tickets sold to international buyers and those living outside of BC. Annually, the tournament hosts teams from 16 competing nations, including Canada, and books more than 2,300 hotel room nights for teams and tournament staff. Teams spend five days in Vancouver prior to the tournament, and in addition to other community activations, each visits a school, community centre or First Nation during their stay to further promote the sport of rugby.

“This is an exciting day for Rugby Canada, and I want to congratulate them on being chosen to continue to host the HSBC Canada Sevens for another four-year cycle. This speaks to the dedication, determination and professionalism demonstrated by Rugby Canada in the past years,” said the Honorable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport. “I am delighted to have the beautiful city of Vancouver represent all of Canada as one of the hosts of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.”

“I’m thrilled that B.C. will continue to host the HSBC Canada Sevens tournament for the next four years,” said Premier John Horgan. “It’s no secret that I am a fan of the game, and I’m pleased to be counted among the thousands of people who travel here for these matches, shop at local businesses and help showcase B.C. as a great host for major sport events like this one.”

2019 will mark the fourth year that the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will come to Vancouver, and the community continues to respond with enthusiasm. Two action packed days of sport are combined with the city’s largest costume party and an international celebration of sport in BC Place stadium. With four more years secured, the event will look to continue its growth and positive impact for the sport of rugby sevens, and for the community at large. Further information on future tournament dates will be released in the coming weeks, as will details concerning the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens, which will be held for a 5thyear in May, 2019 in Langford.

With less than 7 days to go before teams touch down at YVR, Rugby Canada and the Canada Sevens Organizing Committee are working diligently to deliver its “best ever” event on March 9thand 10that BC Place Stadium. Tickets continue to sell fast, with limited inventory remaining, and organizers are encouraging fans to act fast if they don’t want to miss the chance to attend what has become a tradition on the Canadian event calendar. For full information on remaining ticket availability, visit www.canadasevens.com.

About HSBC Canada Sevens:

HSBC Canada Sevens is a two-day indoor rugby sevens tournament, hosted March 9–10, 2019 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 2019 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series kicked off November 30th in Dubai, and the full ten-stop tour schedule of the 2019 Series can be found at https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/calendar.

For additional information, please contact:

Canada Sevens Media Team or Bryan Kelly – Rugby Canada

media@canadasevens.com Media & Communications Manager

bkelly@rugby.ca