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Almost a year after Sevens made it into the 2016 Olympics, the IRB has announced figures indicating that the sport is continuing its rapid growth.

The broadcast report on the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series, published by the IRB's television distribution partner Pro-Active Television, confirms that for a fifth consecutive year a record global audience switched on to Sevens.

Television broadcast coverage of the eight-tournament 2009/10 World Series reached 141 countries across six continents, with 34 broadcasters showing action from the most competitive Series to date, won by Samoa for the first time in the Series' 11-year history.

The grand prix-style Series accumulated 3,561 hours of total airtime - 7 per cent up on the 2008/09 season which smashed all previous figures - of which 1143 hours went out live. Programming from the Sevens was carried in 16 languages and reached 325 million homes, with an estimated potential reach in excess of 750 million.

The Series was also the main traffic driver on the IRB's Youtube channel, the bespoke features and try compilations from the Sevens attracting over 1 million views online.

"Rugby Sevens continues to prove itself a huge hit with fans, broadcasters and sponsors around the world, attracting new members to the global Rugby family and with the ultimate seal of approval given by the IOC last year, the sky is the limit for this exciting sport," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"The non-stop, highly competitive action and festival atmosphere continues to be the sport's winning formula, combined with the fact that so many nations can compete side by side and stand a genuine chance of winning.

"It is also a massive boost for the whole of world Rugby that more people than ever before watched this season as Samoa showed what is possible in Sevens by winning their first World Series."

The 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series comprised eight tournaments in Dubai, South Africa (George), New Zealand (Wellington), USA (Las Vegas), Australia (Adelaide), Hong Kong, England (London) and Scotland (Edinburgh).

The IRB has already announced the dates for the eight events in the 2010/11 World Series, which will take in five continents over a six month period.

The renowned event in Dubai will kick off the 12th season of the World Series on 3-4 December and once again the season will reach a climax in Edinburgh on 28-29 May 2011.

2010/11 World Series dates

Dubai - 3-4 Dec 2010
South Africa - 10-11 Dec 2010
New Zealand - 4-5 Feb 2011
USA - 12-13 Feb 2011
Hong Kong - 25-27 Mar 2011
Australia - 2-3 April 2011
England - 21-22 May 2011
Scotland - 28-29 May 2011

With thanks to the IRB