# International rugby sevens competitions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/international-rugby-sevens-competitions > Updated: 2026-08-19T04:23:29.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. The rugby sevens landscape for late 2026 includes the launch of a new professional circuit and several international championships. Ultimate Sevens, a privately backed global competition supported by BIA Sports Group, is set to begin its inaugural season in September 2026. The circuit features six regional franchise teams and a gender-parity format providing equal pay for men’s and women’s squads. The season will consist of four knockout-style tournament weekends held in Leganés, Cardiff, Biarritz, and London. Concurrently, several major international tournaments have been scheduled. The 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens will take place at Stellenbosch University in South Africa from September 4–6, featuring 17 teams. Additionally, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) 2026 Leg 1 is scheduled for August 29–30 in Suzhou, China, involving 12 men’s and 12 women’s national teams. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Rugby Sevens championships announced for South Africa and China Major rugby sevens events are announced for 2026, including the FISU World University Championship in South Africa and the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Leg 1 in Suzhou, China. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rugby-sevens-championships-announced-for-south-africa-and-china ### 2026-08-07: Ultimate Sevens rugby circuit launches inaugural 2026 season across Europe Ultimate Sevens, a new rugby‑sevens league backed by BIA Sports Group, launches its inaugural 2026 season with six franchise teams, gender‑parity pay, and four European stops in Spain, Wales, France and London. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ultimate-sevens-rugby-circuit-launches-inaugural-2026-season-across-europe --- Cite as: International rugby sevens competitions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/international-rugby-sevens-competitions