1. Full women’s World Series tournament for the first time!
For the first time ever, New Zealand will host a women’s World Sevens Series tournament. The Black Ferns Sevens did play in Hamilton last year, but it was separate to their World Series. Fans will be able to see our defending champion Black Ferns Sevens in action at FMG Stadium Waikato alongside the guys, and we can’t wait!
For the very first time in 2020, there will be a full @WorldRugby7s Women’s tournament played at the #NZSevens…and we can’t wait! 😍#NZSevens pic.twitter.com/lRaK0W1W9h
— HSBC NZ Sevens (@NZ_Sevens) January 14, 2020
2. Both Kiwi teams are coming off tournament victories in Cape Town
The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens finished 2019 on a high in Cape Town, both taking out the title. They’ll be coming into their home tournament with plenty of confidence and they’ll be buzzing to play in front of their home fans as they begin their march towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
🎥 WATCH | The squad made the selectors decision incredibly difficult ahead of @nzsevens. Hear from All Blacks Sevens Head Coach, Clark Laidlaw about the new inclusions.#NZSevens pic.twitter.com/CRiM8HztuG
— All Blacks Sevens (@AllBlacks7s) January 16, 2020
3. Sons of Zion live on Saturday
There will be entertainment everywhere at FMG Stadium Waikato, not just on the field. Chart-topping reggae-roots group Sons of Zion will perform live on Saturday at the Mill Street Park R18 Entertainment Zone. Sons of Zion jumped at the opportunity to perform at the New Zealand Sevens and can’t to be part of the tournament’s 21st birthday celebration. They will be joined by soulful Wellington singer-songwriter Louis Baker.
4. 21st Birthday celebration
The HSBC New Zealand Sevens is turning 21 and everyone is invited to the party. There will be cake, live entertainment, games, activities, prizes and of course you’ll get to meet your favourite Sevens players. The 21st Birthday celebration is taking place at Garden Place in Hamilton from 4.30pm – 6.30pm on Friday 24 January. See HERE for more details https://rb.gy/tnql6a
5. Costumes
Show post with costumes from last year (baby heads, avocado man etc) Need we say more.
We can’t wait to see what costumes people wear this year.
The #NZSevens has seen some sensational costumes over the years, have you got yours sorted for 2020? 🧙♂️🧝♀️🧟♀️🧛♀️ pic.twitter.com/GXoau3VDe5
— HSBC NZ Sevens (@NZ_Sevens) January 15, 2020
6. Festival Zones
There will be plenty of other activities to get stuck into across the weekend. There will be three festival zones – the Carnival Zone, Keppler X Haval VIP Zone and the Mill Street Park Zone (R18). There will be amusement rides and amazing food trucks set up across the Festival Zones. There will be Vietnamese, Fijian, Thai, fried chicken, ice cream and waffles just to name a few!
🥳 Do you need the perfect weekend to round off your summer?
Don’t miss out on the 2020 #NZSevens 👉 https://t.co/SbjsSf86Mi pic.twitter.com/FUOwezmBhI
— HSBC NZ Sevens (@NZ_Sevens) January 15, 2020
7. No brainer
You get to watch the world’s best Sevens players, dress up and party … how much more incentive do you need?
All Blacks Sevens draw
Saturday 25 January:
2.31pm v Wales
8.33pm v USA
Sunday 26 January:
1.41pm v Scotland
Men’s playoffs from 4.20pm
Black Ferns Sevens draw
Saturday 25 January:
11.20am v China
4.58pm v England
Sunday 26 January:
10.35am v Fiji
Women’s playoffs from 2pm