Rugby fans prepare for Hong Kong Sevens - AsiaRooms.com

AsiaRooms.com reports the 2010 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, one of the biggest annual sporting events in the region, is fast approaching.

Founded in 1976, the rugby tournament is now considered to be the premier event in the IRB Sevens World Series, which also features stops in locations such as Dubai, South Africa and London.

People using hotels in Hong Kong can expect three days of high-quality rugby from March 26th to 28th, with 24 international teams taking part.

As well as the 12 core sides participating in the IRB Sevens World Series, the tournament will feature six international teams and six outfits representing Asian rugby.

The 12 core teams are Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, USA, Wales and South Africa, the reigning series champions.

In addition, a change to the tournament structure for this year's event will provide more action for spectators at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium to enjoy.

Instead of dropping out, teams that lose in the quarter-finals of the cup competition will now proceed to the semi-finals of the plate contest.

"The new structure creates three additional matches involving some of the top teams," explained Warrick Dent of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.

"We also can look forward to an additional final, which is certain to ramp up the excitement of 'Sevens Sunday' in Hong Kong even further."

Standard tickets are priced at HK$1,250 (£102), while children can see the action for HK$300.