World Rugby confirms LA28 Sevens Qualification Path

World Rugby has confirmed the qualification pathway for rugby sevens at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams set to compete. Host nation USA will receive automatic places in both competitions.

HSBC SVNS 2027 Offers First LA28 Places

The qualification race will begin during the HSBC SVNS 2027 season, starting in Dubai in November 2026 and concluding in Bordeaux at the end of May 2027.

The four highest-ranked eligible men’s teams and four highest-ranked eligible women’s teams in the final World Championship standings, excluding hosts USA, will qualify directly for LA28.

Each qualified National Olympic Committee will be permitted to select a 12-player squad for the Olympic tournament.

Regional Qualifiers Decide Six More Places

Six additional places in each competition will be awarded through regional qualification tournaments during the second half of 2027.

Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America will each have one qualification place available in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

If an eligible North American team qualifies through the SVNS standings, the regional pathway will instead send a team to the Olympic Repechage, with the corresponding LA28 quota decided through the final qualification event.

Olympic Repechage Completes LA28 Line-Up

The final men’s and women’s Olympic places will be decided at the Repechage in June 2028.

Eight teams in each competition will contest the tournament, with the winners securing the 12th and final LA28 quota places.

Rugby sevens will make its fourth Olympic appearance in Los Angeles after debuting at Rio 2016. France won men’s gold at Paris 2024, while New Zealand successfully defended the women’s title.