After months of waiting World Rugby has finally confirmed the World Rugby Sevens Series stops and dates for the 2015-16 season. The announcement confirms the replacement of the Tokyo 7s with a stop in Singapore, the Glasgow 7s to Paris, and the Gold Coast 7s to Sydney. It also confirms that Wellington will be pair with Sydney and that Vegas will be paired with Vancouver.
Importantly for American fans the Las Vegas 7s has been confirmed through 2019 after there were hints earlier this year the stop might be moved due to an uncertain stadium situation. The tournament will move from the usual late January/early February timeframe into March with the tournament taking place on March 4-6th. The new Vancouver 7s will take place a week later on March 12-13th.
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The changes weren't surprise to anyone who has followed the story over the last few years. The Series was always going to expand and finding a way to split up the long distance-short turnaround legs between Wellington and Vegas was always going to happen. This way players now only have to make the short hop across the Tasman or the two and a half hour flight from Vegas to Vancouver.
Additionally, with Japan getting a Super Rugby franchise the Tokyo 7s were always going to be on the move with Singapore the most likely destination. Their brand new stadium has drawn rave reviews and they have the government's backing. The stops in the Gold Coast and Glasgow were never well attended and have been on the chopping block for awhile.
2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series schedule
Round 1: Dubai: 4-5 December
Round 2: Cape Town: 12-13 December
Round 3: Wellington: 30-31 January
Round 4: Sydney: 6-7 February
Round 5: Las Vegas: 4-6 March
Round 6: Vancouver: 12-13 March
Round 7: Hong Kong: 8-10 April
Round 8: Singapore: 16-17 April
Round 9: Paris: 14-15 May
Round 10: London: 21-22 May