The 2025 Emirates Dubai 7s is set to be the largest ever, with 584 teams across five sports competing within the sprawling Sevens Stadium complex — transforming the venue into a true festival city for three days of sport, music, and hospitality. Running from 28–30 November 2025 and coinciding with UAE National Day celebrations, the festival promises elite rugby, netball, cricket, and padel alongside international music and premium hospitality. Already billed as the “best weekend of the year” for UAE residents and travelling fans, this year’s edition expands its reach with headline entertainment from global stars including Shaggy, Sean Paul, Tinie Tempah, DJ EZ, and Fisher.
For three days, The Sevens Stadium becomes more than a venue — it’s a global stage and community hub, uniting world-class athletes, regional clubs, expatriate sides, and thousands of fans in one electrifying celebration.
Emirates Dubai 7s: Big Teams, Big Stakes
The Emirates Dubai 7s opens the HSBC SVNS 2025–26 Series, bringing together the world’s elite men’s and women’s sides for the traditional desert curtain-raiser.
- Men’s Pools Pool A: Argentina, South Africa, France, Fiji Pool B: New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Great Britain
- Women’s Pools Pool A: New Zealand, USA, France, Fiji Pool B: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan
The Fancied Contenders
- Men’s favourites: Defending Dubai champions Fiji return as the team to beat, having lifted the 2024 trophy with a 19–5 win over Spain. They face stiff competition from South Africa (world champions), Argentina (league champions), and France (Olympic champions).
- Women’s favourites: Australia arrive as five-time consecutive Dubai winners, having edged New Zealand 28–24 in last year’s final. The Black Ferns Sevens (Olympic champions) and France (World Cup pedigree) are also tipped to challenge strongly.
South Africa’s Ambition
South Africa continues to view Dubai as a proving ground. The Springbok Women arrive fresh from winning the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup without conceding a point, while the men’s side look to build momentum ahead of their home leg in Cape Town.
Arabian Gulf Representation
The Emirates Dubai 7s isn’t only about the global giants — it also showcases the passion and pride of the Arabian Gulf rugby community. The Gulf Men’s and Women’s Leagues bring together leading clubs from across the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, ensuring the festival reflects the region’s deep rugby roots.
- Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Warriors return after making history in 2024, when they became the first Saudi team to win silverware at Dubai 7s by lifting the Gulf Men’s Social Cup. Their presence underlines the Kingdom’s growing rugby ambitions.
- Kuwait: Kuwait’s clubs continue to feature strongly in the Gulf Men’s League and youth divisions, adding to the diversity of the regional competition and maintaining a tradition that stretches back to the old Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union era.
- UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman: Established Gulf sides bring local rivalries and loyal fan bases, ensuring packed stands and fierce competition across the invitational divisions.
Together, these teams embody the spirit of Gulf rugby — combining grassroots enthusiasm with regional pride — and guarantee that the Arabian Gulf remains a vibrant part of the Dubai 7s story.
Netball, Cricket, and Padel: Expanding the Festival at the Emirates Dubai 7s
Beyond rugby, the Dubai 7s hosts 36 participatory tournaments across five sports, reinforcing its identity as a true multi-sport festival. In 2025, more than 250 teams will take part across netball, cricket, and padel alone — underlining the event’s evolution into the region’s biggest sporting weekend.
- Netball: A Festival Favourite Netball has been a crowd favourite since 2014, played across four courts at The Sevens Stadium. This year, more than 120 teams are expected, spanning divisions such as Gulf Women, Gulf Youth, Aspire, Open Women, Open Youth, and Mixed. From grassroots to elite, the sheer scale of participation ensures packed courts and a vibrant atmosphere.
- Cricket: Social and Competitive Spirit Cricket returns with around 80 teams competing in youth and invitational tournaments across U13 and U15 divisions, alongside social and competitive formats. The blend of expat and regional squads adds a distinctive South Asian flavour to the weekend, making cricket one of the festival’s most culturally resonant sports.
- Padel: Rebound Rising Introduced in 2023, padel now takes centre stage with the Rebound tournament, delivered in partnership with Viya Padel. In 2025, around 60 teams will compete across five purpose-built courts in categories ranging from Beginner Social to Elite. Its rapid rise in popularity across the UAE has made padel one of the fastest-growing elements of the Dubai 7s, ensuring the festival continues to evolve with sporting trends.
Together, these additions reinforce the Emirates Dubai 7s as a multi-sport festival — not just a rugby showcase — and highlight its role in growing participation across the region.
Top-Tier Entertainment Programme
Music is as central to Emirates Dubai 7s as the sport itself, with global stars lighting up the stages.
- Tinie Tempah – Brit Award-winning rapper and singer (Saturday, 29 November)
- Sean Paul – Grammy-nominated Jamaican dancehall star (Saturday, 29 November)
- Shaggy – Double-Grammy-winning reggae icon (Saturday, 29 November)
- FISHER – Australian DJ and producer, ranked among the world’s top 10, bringing his signature tech-house energy (Saturday, 29 November)
- DJ EZ – The “DJ’s favourite DJ”, a musical force of nature for over three decades (Sunday, 30 November)
All performers who will light up The Sevens Stadium across the three-day festival.
ES Sport Hospitality: Premium Access at the Emirates Dubai 7s
For businesses and fans seeking more than general admission, ES Sport’s hospitality packages provide the ultimate vantage point — combining gourmet catering, premium beverages, and exclusive access to sport and entertainment.
‘Ankle Tap’ Lounge at the Emirates Dubai 7s
Centre-line views, VIP comfort, and festival energy combined.
- 3-night premium hotel stay with breakfast
- Prime location: shared VIP hospitality in a purpose-built lounge with stunning views overlooking the centre line of Pitch 1
- Reserved seating: access to our seating area, ensuring you have one of the best vantage points to watch the action (please note: seating is not shaded, though the lounge itself is)
- Unlimited beverages and dining: free-flowing drinks throughout the day plus ‘Dine Around’ food vouchers, offering a variety of options across the Emirates Village
- Dedicated hostess: a personal touch to enhance your weekend, whether with guests, family, or friends
- Post-event concerts: keep the festival spirit alive with access to the fantastic concerts after play concludes
- General access on Friday: enjoy the excitement of Friday’s matches with included entry
Centre-line comfort awaits—with ES Sport’s Ankle Tap hospitality. Book now.
Sun Room Hospitality Lounge
Emirates Dubai 7s’ golden ticket to laidback luxury.
- 3night stay at The First Collection or Media Rotana hotels, combining comfort with convenience
- VIP chalet and private garden beside the North Grandstand, offering an intimate retreat just steps from the action
- Gourmet bites and premium drinks served throughout the day (11am–8pm), curated for discerning tastes
- Shaded seating with uninterrupted views, plus exclusive access to live music sessions and podcast shows that bring the festival atmosphere closer
- VIP parking and concierge support, ensuring seamless arrival and departure
- Elevated ambience: a more spacious, private setting designed for those seeking the ultimate blend of rugby spectacle and refined relaxation
- Exclusive performances: priority access to headline shows and entertainment across the weekend
Reserved Seat Packages
Simple, stylish, and spectator-friendly.
- 3-night hotel stay with breakfast
- Reserved seating at Pitch 1
- General Admission access to all sports and entertainment zones
- Return transfers
Reserved Seats from ES Sport—flexible access, shaded comfort, prime views. Book now.
Why It Matters
The Emirates Dubai 7s is more than a tournament; it’s a global launchpad and a proving ground for emerging sevens talent. For netball, cricket, and padel, it’s a chance to grow visibility on an international stage. And for ES Sport, it’s an opportunity to connect clients, partners, friends old and new with the energy of a festival that blends world-class sport, music, and hospitality.
Book now with ES Sport for a weekend of high-energy sport & entertainment.
Related Articles
British & Irish Lions 2025 Tour of Australia: How Schmidt’s Strategic Choices Will Define the Wallabies
