The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series annual championship showcases the world’s top rugby teams in a dynamic, fast-moving format. Instead of 15 players per team playing 40 minutes per half, Rugby 7s features two teams of just seven players going full throttle for a brief seven minutes per half. With all the thrills of world-class rugby condensed into this supercharged format, it’s no wonder the HSBC Sevens Series has rapidly become one of international rugby’s must-see events. While the World Cup features 20 national teams playing 48 matches over 6 weeks, the HSBC Sevens Series has 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams crossing the globe for a total of 18 tournaments over the course of a single season. 2022 will also see the Women’s Rugby World Cup being played in New Zealand, in which 12 teams will take part over 6 weeks. DHL is proud to be the Official Logistics partner and worldwide partner for the tournament. DHL’s commitment to Rugby World Cup 2021 (playing in 2022) further cements our dedication to supporting the women’s game.
As a long-standing supporter of rugby at a global level, DHL Express has also become an Official Partner of the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup; competitions which see 39 pro rugby clubs from across Europe take part. There are many initiatives underway, particularly on new digital platforms to build on the enduring success of the Heineken Champions Cup. With overall TV audiences of close to 32 million last season, as well as the enthusiasm of fans, clubs, players and partners involved in EPCR’s (European Professional Club Rugby) tournaments, it’s major event on the global Rugby calendar. The Heineken Cup is the top pro club rugby tournament in the Northern Hemisphere, so, naturally, DHL has also become a partner of the top pro club rugby tournament in the Southern Hemisphere where we are the 2022 naming rights sponsor of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific. The new 12-team competition introduces two new teams, Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, who will join the five New Zealand and five Australian sides in what will be an exciting new competition delivered by DHL Express.
DHL’s involvement in these top-level events builds on decades of supporting rugby through partnerships at a club and country level across the globe. British & Irish Lions, Rugby Canada, Germany national rugby union team, Harlequins in England, Munster in Ireland and the DHL Stormers in South Africa are just a handful of many partners carrying our colours. In 2022 we also became the primary name for DHL Stadium located in Cape Town, South Africa. The stadium is home to DHL Stormers and will also host the 7’s Rugby World cup in 2022, of which we are a Global Partner. We’re in the game because we love the game! Our commitment with rugby will enable us to handle every logistical challenge and deliver with the same kind of speed, skill and efficiency that amaze on the pitch.