Sevens returns to the Cape
The 2016/17 series retains the same schedule, kicking off in Dubai on December 2-3, visiting 10 cities across five continents before concluding in London on May 20-21.
The 2015/16 Series was the biggest and best to date and, with six different winners for the first time, it was also the most competitive and compelling as Fiji claimed the title.
The Series' winning blend of star players, breath-taking action, iconic destinations and festival atmosphere proved to be a hit with fans as the Series reached, engaged and inspired audiences in record numbers.
The expanded series was the best-attended with 715,000 fans, the most-widely viewed, with 6,000 hours of action broadcast to fans in more than 100 territories for the first time, and the most socially-engaged with 61 million video views and a 250 percent audience increase across all platforms.
As Sevens prepares to excite on sport's biggest stage at Rio 2016, anticipation is high that the 2016/17 Series will set new standards on and off the field as World Rugby and its host unions look to further enhance fan experience and innovation.
With Sevens' popularity at an all-time high ahead of Rio 2016, the 2016-17 series also looks set to reach, engage and inspire new audiences and fans as rugby's first Olympians in 92 years return to the series to showcase their talents in some of the world's best stadia across some of the world's most iconic cities.
"As we look ahead to a game-changing Olympic Games, we can reflect on what will be remembered as the biggest and best Series to date.
"The compelling and highly-competitive action has captured the imagination of fans around the world in record numbers in stadia. I would like to thank all the teams and fans from around the world for playing their full role as we build towards the first Series following Sevens' Olympic Games debut," World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said.
The 2016/17 World Sevens Series schedule:
Dubai – December 2-3
Cape Town – December 10-11
Wellington – January 28-29
Sydney – February 4-5
Las Vegas – March 3-5
Vancouver – March 11-12
Hong Kong – April 7-9
Singapore – April 15-16
Paris – May 13-14
London – May 20-21
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