Rugby Europe and the European Olympic Committees (EOC) have announced that Rugby Sevens will once again be included in the fourth edition of the European Games, taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye in 2027.
It will be the second time that the sport has featured in the European Games following a successful debut in Kraków-Małopolska in 2023, where Ireland's men and Great Britain's women won the tournaments and subsequently qualified for Paris 2024.
The ultimate prize for every team competing will be the one automatic qualification spot in the men’s and women’s competitions to the Olympic Games LA28, while the silver medalists will earn a place at the Olympic Repechage, organized by World Rugby in June 2028, and potentially the bronze medalists as well, depending on the outcome of the other Regional Qualification Tournaments
The expansion from 12 to 16 teams for this edition is the result of a very successful first edition in Kraków-Małopolska in 2023 and an expanded cooperation between the EOC and Rugby Europe, and will add excitement to the high-pressure tournament, which will now run over four days, from Wednesday 23rd to Saturday 26th of June 2027.
The 16 teams have qualified based on their final rankings from the 2026 Rugby Europe 7s Championship and Trophy divisions, but depending on the final positions after the coming HSBC SVNS season, teams ranked after the 16th position could also make the European Games, as well.
The top four finishers in the SVNS World Championship automatically qualify for LA28 , with the hosts, USA, already qualified. If one of those top four finishers is European, the European Games spot goes to the next-ranked team.
The HSBC SNVS series will start in Dubai this November with the Championship then finishing in Bordeaux in May 2027.
Automatically qualified in order of the 2026 Rankings
- Men: France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Great Britain, Georgia, Czechia, Ukraine, Switzerland, Romania, Lithuania, Poland, Türkiye, Monaco.
- Women: Poland, France, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Czechia, Great Britain, Denmark, Ukraine, Italy, Sweden, Türkiye, Moldova, Hungary.
Possible additional quota places if European team qualifies through SVNS Championship
- Men: Sweden (17th), Croatia (18th)
- Women: Georgia (17th), Norway (18th)
Rugby Europe President, Janhein Pieterse, commented, “We are absolutely delighted to be included in these prestigious games and would like to thank the European Olympic Committees for including Rugby Sevens once again in their program. Following the success of the format at Kraków-Małopolska 2023, which captivated many, we are confident that it will once again do so as our 16 unions make their bid to reach Los Angeles in two years.”
“Of course, qualifying is the aim, but the experience that all of the teams will gain by being part of their National Olympic Committees and being included in part of the Athletes’ Village and rubbing shoulders with some of Europe’s finest in 25 other disciplines will also be an exceptionally rewarding experience. We wish them all well on their respective journeys.”
Mihai Covaliu, Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the 4th European Games Istanbul 2027, said: “We are delighted to welcome rugby sevens back to the European Games in Istanbul. It is a fast and exciting sport that gets fans off their feet. In Kraków three years ago, Ireland’s men and Great Britain’s women booked their places at Paris 2024, and we are looking forward to seeing which teams will follow them to Los Angeles 2028. I would like to thank Rugby Europe for their continued support.”
"The experience that all of the teams will gain by being part of their National Olympic Committees and being included in part of the Athletes’ Village and rubbing shoulders with some of Europe’s finest."
