Everything you need to know about Emirates Dubai 7s 2024
The ultimate destination for rugby, music, and family fun at Middle East’s biggest sports festival
DUBAI: The countdown is on for the Emirates Dubai 7s, the Middle East's largest sports and entertainment festival, taking place from 29 November to 1 December 2024 during the Eid al Etihad weekend.
This year marks the event's biggest edition yet, promising three days of world-class rugby, live music, food, family activities, and more.
Experience A-list Music, Culture & F&B
The Emirates Dubai 7s is not just about sports; it’s a celebration of music and culture, with live performances across three stages: Rugby Rocks, Beats on 2, and Frequency on 8. On Saturday, iconic pop trio Sugababes will perform their ‘noughties’ hits at Rugby Rocks, followed by global superstar Stormzy as the Sunday night headliner at Frequency on 8. DJ Nathan Dawe and Artful Dodger will also perform, alongside local talents such as DJ Charlesy, DJ Swanahh, and DJ Jevanni.
For food lovers, the festival offers a wide variety of food and beverage options, including Papa Johns, Costa, Vietnamese Foodies, South African Lekker Meat Shop, and local favourites like Pickl and Burro Blanco. In collaboration with Spinneys, the festival introduces the 'Fresher Experience' chill-out zone, where guests can enjoy freshly prepared food and beverages, including rotisserie chicken and fresh salads.
World-class Rugby action
The Emirates Dubai 7s is a premier rugby event, with the HSBC SVNS 2025 series kicking off its first leg at The Sevens Stadium. This will be the first international competition since the Paris Olympics, with the women’s defending champions, Australia, and the men’s defending champions, South Africa, vying to retain their titles. The tournament will feature a record 650 rugby sevens matches across three days, with finals for both men’s and women’s competitions taking place on Sunday evening. The action will culminate with the HSBC SVNS Cup Finals and an iconic Emirates A380 flyover.
Exciting Cricket tournaments
Cricket fans will find even more to enjoy at the festival this year, with the expanded Emirates Dubai 7s Cricket Zone. This will feature live entertainment, food stalls, and a dedicated area for live-streaming rugby matches. International cricket stars, including Dinesh Karthik, Alex Hartley, and Georgia Elwis, will host masterclasses for aspiring players. The festival will also host the Open Competitive Tournament, where the UK’s Barmy Army will take on India’s Bharat Army in an exciting cricket match.
The festival will feature over 6,000 athletes competing in more than 30 sports, including netball, padel, and WODON3, a team-based fitness competition. There are still open registrations for select competitions, including WODON3, Rebound Padel, and Rugby Pool Players, until 24 November 2024.
Family-friendly fun
Families are invited to enjoy “Family Friday,” with free entry for all and children under four attending for free all weekend. The Kids’ Zone will be packed with activities, including interactive games, inflatables, soft play, and special performances from entertainers like Break Dancing Monkeys and the Balloon Bender. A new addition this year is an outdoor cinema, where kids can watch popular films such as Hotel Transylvania, Home Alone, and Inside Out 2 from 6-9pm each evening.
VIP & reserved seating options
For those looking for a premium experience, the new Sunroom offers VIP access with all-inclusive food and drinks, a premium view of Pitch 1, and live commentary from the Australian rugby podcast Kick Offs & Kick Ons. Reserved seating packages are available for rugby fans in the South Grandstand, offering the best views of the action, including the finals and trophy presentations.
Festival flair and merchandise
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Festival,’ and attendees are encouraged to wear their most creative festival attire. The best-dressed fans will have the chance to win US$1 million through Dubai Duty Free’s Millennium Millionaire competition. Exclusive merchandise designed by local artist FINK22 will also be available for purchase, including limited-edition bucket hats and jerseys. FINK22 will host a live painting session during the event.
Tickets and accessibility
Tickets for the Emirates Dubai 7s are still available, with prices starting from Dh425 for a day pass and Dh550 for weekend passes. Friday offers free entry for all, and children under four can attend for free throughout the weekend. For People of Determination, tickets are available at Dh325, including a carer. The festival is committed to ensuring accessibility for all attendees, with enhanced facilities and transport options for People of Determination.
Emirates Dubai 7s
Founded in 1999, the Emirates Dubai 7s is the longest-running sports event in the Middle East, attracting over 80,000 attendees from 128 countries. The 2024 edition will feature world-class athletes, global music acts, and award-winning hospitality experiences, alongside amateur rugby, netball, cricket, and fitness teams. Held at The Sevens Stadium, the event is the ultimate destination for sports enthusiasts, music lovers, families, and festival-goers, offering something for everyone across the weekend.