Paris awarded Sevens tournament

Editor

Paris is set to join the stellar line-up of new global destinations for 2015/16 World Rugby Sevens Series cycle, it was confirmed on Friday.

One of the world's most iconic cities, Paris joins Vancouver, Sydney, Cape Town and Singapore as new hosts on the ten-stop Series, reflecting the global prestige and attraction of rugby sevens ahead of its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016.

The impressive 20,000 capacity Stade Jean Bouin will play host to the world's top male players with the event dates due to be announced along with the full Series schedule shortly.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "With excitement increasing ahead of Rio 2016, the World Rugby Sevens Series is going from strength to strength, proving a hit with fans, broadcasters and sponsors around the globe with its winning blend of compelling and competitive action, global destinations and festival atmosphere.

"Paris is one of the world's major tourism destinations and has sport at its heart and its inclusion within a superb line-up of iconic global locations is exciting for players and fans and underscores the strength of the rugby sevens brand in the global sporting marketplace.

"I have no doubt that the Paris Sevens will inspire new audiences and participants, underscore Paris' credentials as a major event host and contribute to the continued strong growth of the game around the world."

Paris' last appearance on the Series was in 2006 and its return follows a highly competitive tender process with the successful Fédération Française de Rugby and City of Paris bid focusing on furthering France's commitment to sevens, which will make its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016.

FFR President Pierre Camou said: "Hosting the best teams in the world is a fantastic opportunity to promote rugby sevens in France. Our objective is to make this tournament a rugby sevens flagship which will attract new fans for rugby. Over the next four seasons, the goal is for this tournament to become the not-to-be-missed event in French rugby."