Ahead of Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 3-5 this year, Paul Radley breaks down everything you need to know about one of the UAE’s most highly-anticipated annual sporting events.
What is it?
The Dubai Rugby Sevens has been the centre-piece of the UAE sporting landscape for over 40 years.
It is three days of rugby in the seven-a-side format, for players of all ages and abilities and from all over the world.
Over the course of the National Day weekend, more than 100,000 people will go through the gates at The Sevens grounds, on the Dubai to Al Ain Road.
Who plays?
In the main competition, which takes place on Pitch 1, there are 16 teams from leading rugby nations, led by the world series champions Fiji, and defending Dubai champions South Africa.
There is more to it than that, though, with over 250 teams set to play in the social and invitational tournaments which take place at the same time as the international competition.
Who will win it?
England are the perennial crowd favourites, and have enjoyed great success here over the years, winning it four times since 2004.
Defending champions South Africa have also benefit from sizable expatriate support, and have tasted victory a number of times. Fiji and New Zealand will start as the teams to beat, though.
Who will be there?
Some World Cup winning players, possibly. And not just international players from years past, whiling away the weekend in the veterans tournaments on the outside fields.
Sonny Bill Williams and Liam Messam, who have been playing for the All Blacks at the World Cup in England, are committed to New Zealand sevens, too.
They want to be selected for the debut of rugby sevens at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year, and Gordon Tietjens will want to get them involved as soon as possible.
What is the World Sevens Series?
Dubai is the first leg of the extended 10 tournament HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with Cape Town, Sydney, Singapore, Vancouver and Paris as new additions to the circuit.
Wellington, Hong Kong and Las Vegas continue from the previous four-year Series, with the final round being played in London in May 2016.
What is new?
A netball tournament, with 32 teams confirmed from the Gulf region, will run at the same time as the rugby tournaments.
Dubai Exiles, the club who first hosted the Dubai Rugby Sevens in 1970, will be among the teams competing for the first title.
Where is it?
http://www.thesevens.ae/location/
Ticket information
Tickets are available online at www.dubairugby7s.com or at selected Costa, MMI, Go Sport and dnata outlets, Bidi Bondi, The Sevens and Park n Shop.
Reserved Seating, Premium Seating and Corporate Hospitality packages are also available through the official website.
Ticket prices
Thursday, December 3 - free
Friday, December 4 - in advance Dh300, on the day Dh400
Saturday, December 5 - in advance Dh300, on the day Dh400
Season tickets (Friday and Saturday) - in advance Dh500, on the day Dh600
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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