Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium to host Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship 2023

Tourism and Events Queensland has secured the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship 2023 to be held at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium which will see 400 players representing 14 countries participate from 10th-12th November 2023.

The event is the latest international sporting event to be added to the It’s Live! in Queensland event calendar.

The Oceania Sevens is an Olympic-qualifying event for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

The Australian and New Zealand women’s and men’s teams have qualified for Paris 2024, but the tournament will provide the opportunity for one additional women’s and men’s team to seal a place at next year’s games.

The annual competition will feature 10 women’s and 15 men’s teams playing 80 games in a round-robin style tournament staged at Ballymore, home of Australian Wallaroo’s.

QLD Minister for Tourism and Sport Stirling Hinchliffe noted that the Queensland Government’s investment of $15 million into the redevelopment of Ballymore has contributed to increased spectator capacity, a state-of-the-art training base and other facilities – allowing the State to attract more world-class sporting events.

Minister Hinchliffe added “The Oceania Sevens, a key event on the World Rugby calendar, will bring thousands of fans to Brisbane with many staying on beyond the three-day Championships to explore the region, injecting around $3 million into the visitor economy.”

Oceania Rugby General Manager, Frank Puletua shared "this championship is not just a sporting event; it's a celebration of the enduring spirit and skill of rugby players across Oceania.

“It's a chance for emerging and established talents to shine on a global stage and take a significant step towards achieving their Olympic dreams.”

Tourism and Events Queensland Chief Executive, Patricia O’Callaghan added “The Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship provides an opportunity to market Brisbane and the incredible tourism experiences we have on our doorstep from kayaking down the Brisbane River, enjoying our lively bars and cafes and cruising over to Moreton Island – our adventure playground.

“Tourism and Events Queensland will be enticing those who will be visiting for the event to extend their stay and experience more of our great Queensland lifestyle.

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