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Tickets have now gone on sale for the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, the first of the eight events which form the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series and will take place at ‘The Sevens’ on December 4-5.

The Sevens, which was used to host the Rugby World Cup Sevens, including the inaugural women’s tournament, will once again kick off the circuit before it moves to George in South Africa.

The build up to this year’s IRB Series has been even bigger than normal, however, with the IOC’s recommendation to put the sport into the Olympic Games.

Tickets for the hugely popular tournament are now on sale and with the popularity of Sevens rugby at an all-time high from the hype surrounding the IOC decision, organisers are expecting a rush for tickets similar to last year when over 130,000 fans packed into the new purpose built venue.

What also makes the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens such an appealing event for fans is the fact that over 150 local, social and international invitational sides take part in the spectacle, meaning over 2000 players will converge on The Sevens in the first weekend of December.

As well as the international competition the invitations were recently sent out for the Dubai invitational tournament to teams including Olorun Identity, Kooga Wailers and International Marauders.

One of the international teams though will of course be IRB Series champions South Africa who will also be looking to defend the Dubai title they won last year when they beat England in the final with a sign of things to come.

South Africa’s head coach Paul Treu recently announced their will be a slightly new look Boks side for this year’s Series and he can’t wait to get back to Dubai and begin the defence of their title.

“You're not going to get a better atmosphere than at The Sevens," said Treu.

"The Dubai tournament has always been phenomenal and I'm sure it will be again this year. We couldn't ask for a better place to start the Sevens World Series."

In March The Sevens played host to the RWC Sevens and the inaugural women’s tournament which was won by Australia. Treu believes the way the event was hosted played a part in the IOC’s decision to recommend Sevens to be an Olympic sport.

"I think what really made the Executive Board of the IOC decide to recommend Sevens be included in the Olympics was the World Cup in Dubai. I think Dubai has been instrumental in the whole marketing campaign,” added Treu.

Tickets in demand

Record breaking crowds flocked to the new venue last year and because of the expected popularity of this year's event tournament organisers are encouraging fans wanting to see the world's best Sevens players in action to purchase their tickets early - as is Treu.

“Hurry up and make sure that you get your tickets because they're going to fly. The Dubai Sevens is really going to be massive this year, especially once Sevens becomes an Olympic sport next month."

A ticket for the pool stages on Friday 4 December, will cost AED 170 with the climax on Saturday costing AED 230. A season ticket covering both days will cost AED 300 with children under 12 going free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets can be purchased online through www.dubairugby7s.com or from The Sevens ground on the Al Ain Road, Emirates headquarters, the Dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road and numerous Costa and MMI outlets.

"It's hard to imagine that it's already been almost a year since that exceptional first Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens at The Sevens," said Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group. 

"Preparations are well underway for what we are certain will be another spectacularly successful tournament at the beginning of December."