Festival atmosphere attracts crowds to Dubai Sevens

Thousands of people travelled to the final day of the Dubai Rugby Sevens on Saturday (5th December) to enjoy not only the competition but the festival atmosphere.

The three-day Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens attracted close to 100,000 spectators who saw reigning World Series Sevens champions Fiji emerge triumphant, beating England 28-17 in the final.

The first leg of the new season in the World Rugby Sevens Series, the Dubai Sevens has, over recent years, grown to become a seminal event of the sporting calendar in the United Arab Emirates.

Held at The Sevens, the purpose-built rugby sevens stadium to the east of the Dubai CBD, fans enjoyed a great party atmosphere and top-class entertainment in the event’s purpose built Rugby Village.

The event saw Land Rover give fans the chance to experience the unique all-terrain capability of Land Rover Vehicles, DHL offer a unique photographic opportunity to score a try mid-flight and HSBC offering their Premier customers a chance to relax in the ‘al fresco’ lounge.

F&B offerings included a range of different food outlets with cuisines from all over the world.

Entertainment included Rugby Rock, a partnership with the popular Hard Rock Café.

Other activities included a 32-team netball tournament comprised of  teams and 750 players from across the region as well as music performances, a teenager zone, and cheerleaders.

The series moves on next weekend to Cape Town, South Africa, the second event in the 10-leg series.

Located at the intersection of the Dubai-Al Ain Road and the Jebel Ali-Lahbab Road, The Sevens Stadium is a venue for rugby, football, Gaelic football, AFL, netball, basketball, cricket, tennis, athletics and concerts.

Click here to view the World Rugby blog on the Dubai Sevens.

Images: Fijian fans at the Dubai Sevens (top) and The Sevens Stadium (below)

21st March 2015 - HONG KONG RUGBY SEVENS TICKETS IN HIGH DEMAND

8th April 2014 - MIDDLE EAST SPORT INDUSTRY AWARDS CONTINUE TO RECOGNISE EXCELLENCE IN FITNESS AND SPORT

31st January 2014 - EMIRATES TO CONNECT FANS TO NEXT TWO RUGBY WORLD CUPS

30th April 2012 - DUBAI TO HOST NEW EMERGING NATIONS-FOCUSED SPORT CONFERENCES