Statement by Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis

I am pleased that within one day, more than 60 000 tickets for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 tournament have been sold. This is incredible and a clear indication that spectators are ready to return to in-person events like sports matches, and concerts, among others.

The response also shows the overall importance of the events industry and the opportunity it holds for recovery and growth.

Cape Town will host the tournament later this year from 9 to 11 September 2022. The DHL Stadium will be the playground for the 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams.

Large events such as these are key for a full recovery of the tourism and events industry. As a rugby enthusiast, I am also excited that Cape Town will be hosting another major international rugby tournament and adding to its long list of world cups held here in the Mother City.

As the World’s Leading Festival and Event Destination, we are ready to once again put on a world-class showpiece, which will be a resounding welcome back for live sports.

The efforts by the City of Cape Town, City Promotion Agencies, and the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism has, over the last two years, put the tourism and hospitality industry on the road to recovery.

Hosting events like these, in partnership with the South African Rugby Union (Saru), is evidence that we remain a competitive and appealing international events destination. We are also excited about and look forward to the return of the HSBC Cape Town Sevens at the end of this year.

Cape Town has the infrastructure, skills and scenery to put together another masterpiece for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022.

The qualified teams for the men’s event are defending champions New Zealand, England, the Blitzboks, Fiji, Argentina, USA, France, Korea, Hong Kong and Scotland. Among the women’s teams, the Springbok Women’s Sevens side will join defending champions New Zealand, France, Australia, China, Japan and USA in Cape Town.

Source: City Of Cape Town