#RugbyRules

Rugby Sevens folds a full field into a rapid, high-stakes sprint. With only seven players per side, the game becomes a fast, open contest where one breakaway can decide the match. It has become a global spectacle and an Olympic centerpiece, delivering relentless action in about 14 minutes of play.

The Basics: What Sevens Is and Why It Captivates Rugby Sevens is a shortened variant of traditional rugby union. The aim remains the same: score more points than the opponent by crossing into the try zone with the ball. Sevens minimizes players to seven on each side, creating more space and continuous action. The sport traces its origins to Melrose, Scotland, in 1883, when two butchers sought a livelier fundraiser. Today, Sevens is a staple of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and has thrilled audiences at the Olympic Games since Rio 2016, with leadership from World Rugby noting its rapid growth and global reach.

Picture this: A full-sized rugby field, the same massive green space where 30 hulking players normally crash and battle for every inch. Now, take away more than half of them. What you’re left with is a game of wide-open spaces, blistering speed, and non-stop action where every single pass and tackle can lead to a game-changing score. This is Rugby Sevens, the high-octane, shorter version of rugby that has become an Olympic showstopper. It’s a 14-minute whirlwind of athleticism and strategy that’s as thrilling to watch as it is demanding to play. Forget the slow, grinding pace you might associate with traditional rugby; Sevens is all about explosive sprints, dramatic one-on-one showdowns, and points, points, points. Get ready to learn about the fastest game on two feet, a sport where there’s nowhere to hide and glory is just a breakaway run away.