![\"A](\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/2014-Emirates-Dubai-Rugby-7s.jpg\" "\\"Dubai")
<\/p>\nWith its roots in a small Scottish town, where in 1883 the trimmed down seven-a-side version of the game was birthed; the story of the Rugby Sevens is littered with fairytale-like milestones. In 1976 it branched beyond UK borders to Hong Kong. The fact that it has grown to span continents in the East and West, gaining popularity in such modern, seemingly non-rugger playing nations as China and the UAE, is where the real fairytale comes into play.<\/p>\n
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Making its Dubai debut in 1999, the annual Rugby Sevens has grown to become one of the most anticipated events on the UAE events calendar \u2013 and with major competition from such colossal sporting occasions as the Formula One in neighbouring Abu Dhabi, not to mention Dubai\u2019s busy horseracing agenda, it\u2019s safe to say the shorter format game has successfully weathered the dry desert climate.<\/p>\n
This is largely thanks to the support it receives in the UAE. A capacity crowd of 44 000 on the penultimate day of the rugby spectacular throngs the stands. In Dubai, the Emirates Dubai Rugby 7s tournament is a chance for thousands of the city\u2019s expat residents to let their hair down in the Middle East. It\u2019s an explosive formula made for entertaining the crowds<\/strong> and the concept is simple too; even for tenderfoot fans\u00a0it\u2019s a dream supporter event.<\/p>\n Let me break it down for you \u2026 Teams are 7 a side. They play for 7 minutes each half. Even though it\u2019s a diminutive format, the sport is still full contact and moves at a pace that makes it easy to digest and extremely fun to watch.<\/p>\n In Dubai it takes place at 7he Sevens<\/em> \u2013 a purpose-built arena in the desert about 30 minutes from the city centre where accents from all rugby playing nations come together for a three day sporting extravaganza.<\/p>\n Also read:<\/strong><\/p>\n Festivities are already underway when I enter the stadium. Our Blitzbokke are halfway through their surgical-like massacre of the Argentinians; the result \u2013 40-0 in the quarter-final. It\u2019s half time and the stadium heaves to the sounds of Queen\u2019s We Will Rock You<\/em> \u2013 an unwavering anthem of sport no matter where in the world you are. A South African in full Springbok regalia and an SA flag that rivals those flying at Parliament darts from one side of his stand to the other, his hand stabs the sky in support, his blood probably green and gold \u2026 expat pride oozing from his pores.<\/p>\n Chiefs, cowgirls, a family of Flintstones, a Scottish Highlander, a Jamaican bobsledder and Lederhosen clad supporters circle the pitch perimeter. Dressing up is part of the fun. Their pints slosh violently in plastic festival-proof mugs. On the outskirts of the 7he Sevens<\/em> grounds a camel race is a-hoof; set against the breakaway sprints of the rugby players in the foreground, their train looks awkward and crowded.<\/p>\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Blitzbokke-Supporter-in-Dubai.jpg\" "\\"Homegrown")
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