With only a matter of days until the start of this year’s Emirates Dubai 7s, the excitement and anticipation is building ahead of what promises to be an unmissable three-day festival of sport and entertainment both on and off the pitch, immediately followed by a two-day public holiday to mark Eid Al Etihad.
Taking place at The Sevens Stadium, from November 28-30, there is so much to look forward to for guests attending across the whole weekend, including sensational sporting action, live music, performances from global stars, rugby and cricket masterclasses, family-friendly entertainment, a huge selection of F&B, and exciting new activities including a zipline, free fall and Quad Bike Adventure.
On the rugby pitch, the opening leg of the HSBC SVNS Series 2025/2026 sees eight nations competing for glory in both the men’s and women’s competitions, with respective champions Fiji and Australia returning to defend the titles they won last year.
In the men’s competition, Pool A is made up of last year’s winners in Dubai, Fiji, the 2024/2025 league winners, Argentina, Olympic champions, France, and World Championship winners, South Africa, while Pool B includes Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and Spain.
Australia will be seeking a sixth consecutive Dubai title in the women’s tournament, which also features Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand and USA.
Aside from the HSBC SVNS, the world’s biggest invitational rugby tournament will be taking place across the weekend, featuring 243 teams, with every match streamed live on the Emirates Dubai 7s YouTube channel, meaning friends and family around the world can tune in to watch the matches unfold.
The sporting action extends far beyond rugby, with cricket presented by Dulsco Group, netball presented by Dubai Holding Community Management, Rebound Padel, and the WODON3 fitness competition, which this year introduces the new ‘Super Social’ category aimed at those who want to participate in a less intense environment.
From a music perspective, this year’s event features a brilliant line-up of iconic artists who are set to guarantee a non-stop party atmosphere throughout the festival.
On Saturday 29 November, British rapper Tinie Tempah headlines Beats on 2, while Sean Paul and Shaggy are set to thrill fans with a nostalgia-filled performance at the Frequency on 8 stage.
The following day is all about the DJs with UK garage legend EZ headlining Beats on 2, before FISHER, best known for global smash-hits such as ‘Losing It’ and ‘You Little Beauty’, brings the curtain down on the event with a set which is definitely not to be missed, especially with Monday and Tuesday now confirmed as public holidays.
Local talent, across multiple genres, will also be performing across the weekend.
For the first time, the 2025 Emirates Dubai 7s will feature a spectacular zipline, in partnership with Arabian Adventures, flying over the crowds and festival area, while a dual line ensures the ride can be enjoyed alongside a friend or family member.
Other new additions for this year are the free fall jump, providing the ultimate adrenaline rush, and the Quad Bike Adventure, in partnership with Arabian Adventures, a thrilling 15-minute experience guaranteed to get the pulse racing.
As ever, this year’s Emirates Dubai 7s features a dedicated Kids’ Zone which is open from 10am-6pm each day, packed full of attractions for children themed around superheroes and villains, while the opening day is officially ‘Family Friday’.
The soft play tent is designed for children up to the age of 3, with activities including an arts & crafts zone, superhero colour-in wall, ball pit, indoor trampolines and face painting.
For the older children (aged 4-16), the Outdoor Kids’ Zone is the place to be, featuring a whole host of exciting games and activities, including a giant inflatable slide, inflatable flip-its, creative workshops, superhero VR activation, arcade tent featuring classics such as Dance Machine, Pac-Man and Super Mario, the largest inflatable ever at the 7s, 4-in-1 bungee trampolines and an F1 driving simulator (paid experience just outside the Kids’ Zone).
Additionally, each night between 6-9pm, children will be entertained at the Outdoor Kids’ Cinema, featuring a line-up of popular, family-friendly films with headphones and beanbags provided.
With a vast selection of F&B throughout the festival, there is simply no need for anybody to go hungry or thirsty, as new vendors for 2025 including Tortilla, Vietnamese Foodies, Boost, Here-O, Humantra, Science in Sport and Slim Chickens join festival regulars such as Pickl, Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee, Giraffe, Gino’s Deli, Haagen Dazs and Papa Johns Pizza.
Elsewhere, rugby masterclasses will take place throughout Friday hosted by legends of the sport such as Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Tom Mitchell and Emily Scarratt, while the cricket masterclasses, on Friday and Saturday, will be led by superstars such as James Anderson, Kate Cross, Georgia Elwiss, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis.
For The Love Of Rugby, the hugely popular podcast hosted by Youngs and Cole, England’s two most-capped players, will be broadcasting from the Sunroom hospitality area throughout the festival, giving guests the opportunity to hear the duo discuss tales from during their careers and much more.
Attendees can also look forward to Saturday’s traditional EK A380 flyover, which follows a new route this year, flying over Beats on 2 towards the VIP grandstand, while 3D artist Joe and Max will be on site creating a 3D masterpiece.
As part of Emirates Dubai 7s’ commitment to inclusivity, the Sensory Room, in partnership with Sensory4You, the UAE leader in multi-sensory spaces, will be accessible on-site throughout the event.
Mediclinic Middle East have come on board for the Emirates Dubai 7s 2025 as an official partner of the event, offering world class medical services to international and invitational teams, along with match officials - both medical and physiotherapy throughout the duration of the tournament.
Brand-new merchandise will be available at The Sevens Stadium courtesy of REFLO, Official Apparel Partner of the Emirates Dubai 7s, including a limited-edition range created by local artist Captain Barboza.
Those fans heading to the event on Saturday, meanwhile, are encouraged to embrace the Heroes & Villains fancy dress theme where the winner, selected by Dubai 92 radio, will win tickets to the 2026 event.
Tickets for this year’s festival are available now via emiratesdubai7s.com, with General Admission 3-Day Passes priced AED 595 or AED 525 for People of Determination.
Saturday or Sunday General Admission prices start from AED 455 or AED 375 for People of Determination. Hospitality packages are also available, including the exclusive premium Sunroom experience.
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