NBC Sports To Televise HSBC Sevens World Series of Rugby Live

NBC Sports and Universal Sports will broadcast eight hours of live rugby coverage of the 2011 HSBC Sevens World Series event in Las Vegas the weekend of Feb. 12-13. This marks the first time that the tournament has had live television coverage in the United States. The HSBC Sevens World Series is played throughout the world at seven other venues: Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, London and Scotland.

“Rugby Sevens is an exciting, fast-paced sport that is growing in global popularity, participation, and interest,” said NBC Sports EVP Jon Miller.  “NBC had the privilege of broadcasting the inaugural 2010 Rugby Sevens Collegiate Championship and is excited to expand its coverage of rugby by bringing the HSBC Sevens World Series to live network television for the first time.”

Rugby Sevens features seven players per team playing on the same size pitch as a 15’s match. The format allows for a more up-tempo style with each match split into two seven-minute halves and a new match starting about every 20 minutes.  Rugby Sevens will be an Olympic sport starting in 2016.

“The global appeal of rugby is undeniable and this tournament is known for featuring the best-of-the-best in the rugby world,” said Dan Lyle, Tournament Director of USA 7’s Rugby.  “We look forward to sharing the electric atmosphere of the HSBC Sevens World Series with millions of viewers as we take this exciting step for the sport.”

Last year’s tournament saw a championship battle of the tournament’s two undefeated teams, Samoa and New Zealand, with Samoa ultimately winning, 33-12.  Samoa will return to defend its title in 2011, along with teams from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, England, France, Canada, South Africa and Kenya to name a few.

The HSBC Sevens World Series will begin on Saturday, February 12 and will conclude with the championship game on Sunday, February 13 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The event will feature teams from 16 countries competing in the fourth leg of the Series.

Broadcast Schedule:

• NBC Sports: Live coverage, 3:30-6:00pm ET on February 12; 4:30-6:00pm ET on February 13
• Universal Sports: Live coverage, 2:00-3:30pm ET on February 12; 2:00-4:30pm ET on February 13
• NBC Mobile: Live simulcast, 3:30-6:00pm ET on February 12; 4:30-6:00pm ET on February 13
• Hulu.com: Full-event coverage available on-demand in HD quality video