Rugby Sevens Championships 2025-26

DATES

Saturday 06 June 2026

VENUE

The Richmond Athletic Ground - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hXspjULKnCo7tdEk7

ADDRESS

Richmond Athletic Ground

Twickenham Road

Richmond

TW9 2SF

All teams are to declare and submit their team sheet via the BUCS SharePoint online by 7pm Friday 5^th June (the day before the event).

• The team sheet can be downloaded here: Men's Championship, Men's Trophy, Men's Shield, Women's Championship, Women's Trophy
• Completed team sheets must be uploaded to BUCS SharePoint in the right competition folder by 7pm Friday 5^th June
• The team sheet will be cross checked against those entered on BUCS Play. Anyone on the team sheet who is not in the right squad on BUCS Play will not be permitted to compete
• Any late squad changes due to injury etc after the Friday 7pm online submission must be declared in person on the day. Changes can only be made up until registration for the relevant competition closes
• A representative (coach or captain) must confirm their arrival in person on the morning of the event at Registration (regardless of having confirmed their squad online)
• Any issues uploading your team sheet, please email Erin Simmonds prior to the 7pm deadline on Friday 5^th June.

Trophy & Shield

On-the-day Trophy & Shield Declaration of arrival (and any late changes)                7.30am – 8.30am

Championship

On-the-day Championship Declaration of arrival (and any late changes)                   by 11am

The Registration desk on the day can be found at the Media Desks at the back of the grandstand of Pitch 1

All competitors must join their team on BUCS Play by Tuesday 2^nd June 2026 and be approved into the squad by 11:59pm Thursday 4 June 2026. Instructions on how to do this can be found HERE.

All reserves should join the team on BUCS Play in case of injury/illness etc. Reserves not listed will not be able to be listed on the match day team sheet. No new names can be added on the day.

The team sheet can be downloaded here: Men's Championship, Men's Trophy, Men's Shield, Women's Championship, Women's Trophy

All team captains or coaches must upload their team sheet to the BUCS SharePoint by 7pm Friday 5^th June. Anyone who is listed on the paper team sheet who is not in the squad on BUCS Play will not be able to compete. A maximum of three team staff can be listed on your team sheet. Any additional personnel will need to purchase a ticket.

Please communicate your squads as early as possible.

Any issues uploading your team sheet, please email Erin Simmonds prior to the 7pm deadline.

Players MUST wear the same number throughout the tournament. If there is cause to switch jersey, you MUST inform the tournament/commentary at Control.

Trophy & Shield

Trophy & Shield Registration                                   Online

Trophy & Shield Declaration of arrival                    7.30am-8.30am                                   

Trophy & Shield Referee Meeting                           Friday 5^th June @5.45pm online

First Trophy & Shield Matches                                 9.30am

Trophy & Shield Finals                                               4pm – 5pm

Trophy & Shield Presentations                                 After last Trophy Final

Championship

Championship Registration                                      Online

Championship Declaration of arrival                       by 11am

Championship Referee Meeting                              Friday 5^th June @5.45pm online

First Championship Matches                                    Midday

Championship Finals                                                  7.00pm – 8.00pm

Championship Presentations                                    After last Championship Final

Venue Close                                                               Midnight

The draw will be released the week of the tournament, at the latest.

The tournament is using Macoocoo as it’s scheduling and results service. Tournament info can be found at here or their app. We recommend downloading the Macoocoo Tournament Viewer app in advance

Coaches/Captains Meeting

One representative (coach/captain) from each team must be in attendance at the referee meeting.

Trophy, Shield & Championship Referee Meeting

• Friday 5^th June 2026 5.45pm - 6:15pm
• Online

The meeting invite will be sent on email to your institution administrator and in the pre-event email

Coaches/captains WhatsApp

A coach/captain’s WhatsApp channel is available to access share key details prior and during the event. ONLY the admin will be able to message the group however your contact number will be visible to other members of the group.

To be added to this WhatsApp channel, please contact [email protected] with your name and role in the team.

Medals will be awarded for the winners and runners-up of the Men's Championship, Women's Championship, Men's Trophy, Women's Trophy and Men’s Shield. 

Presentations will take place after each Final, in or near the grandstand

All teams must complete the medical form (form link TBC). One form should be completed per team. This form helps the organisers understand the level of medical support teams may have with them.

• An ambulance, paramedics, doctor and head of medical will be on site for the duration of the tournament.
• The Medical Room will be situated underneath the grandstand.
• The On-site Medical contact will be shared in the pre-event email and on the WhatsApp channel

RULES AND REGULATIONS 

BUCS Rugby Sevens Rules and Regulations can be found here.

RUS 2.3 Touch judge All teams must provide their own competent touch judge.

BUCS General Regulations can be found here

All competitors should be familiar with and understand available gender categories and regulations under REG 4.3. Please find further information on gender eligibility here.

Please see Appendix 1 and Reg 6 for the BUCS Points available at this event.

Competitor withdrawals must be made by a competitors athletic/students union by emailing the event lead.

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy

Teams who withdraw the after the team entry deadline (30^th Apr 2026) or who do not attend the event will be classed as a late withdrawal/no show and therefore will be charged the entry fee and fined £100.

Parking is available for minibuses and cares at The Richmond Athletic Ground at a cost of £12.50 for all day parking

Team Coaches - THERE IS NO COACH PARKING @The RAG for this event

• Alight all players, staff and equipment outside The RAG.
• NB: Coaches WILL NOT be permitted entry into The RAG car park
• Coaches can turn in Pools on the Park.
• Coach drivers are advised to park at:
  • Old Deer Park Car Park, Richmond, TW9 2RA.
  • A pre-researched alternative location deemed suitable by the driver.

Train​

• Richmond Station is a 7 minute walk from Richmond Rugby Club and is served by:
  • National Rail
  • District Line Underground
  • The Overground

Each team has access to clubhouse changing facilities, which are undesignated.

Belongings are the individuals/teams responsibility. Any belongings left in changing rooms or team gazeboes are left at the individuals own risk.

Food and drink will be available for purchase at The RAG including breakfast, BBQ, Mexican and Pizza options

Competitors are reminded about REG 5.1.1 whereby the consumption of alcohol whilst competing/with fixtures still to play will not be tolerated.

This is a ticketed event. Spectator tickets can be purchased here: https://fixr.co/event/the-university-celestial-7s-2026-tickets-49099098/tickets

Anyone wishing to take photos or video at this event must complete the BUCS Media Accreditation Form prior to the event.

BUCS reserves the right to prohibit photography equipment being used at a BUCS event. BUCS reserves the right to request that the individual ceases to take photographs, deletes any images and, if considered necessary, leaves the venue.

The sustainability of our event matters to us and these are the positive steps we are taking to manage our environmental impact:

• All staff and volunteers are encouraged to travel to the event via public transport
• We have used local suppliers where possible
• Event programmes are all online, minimising paper use
• We will print on demand merchandise (if applicable)
• We are beginning to track our carbon footprint across BUCS events to identify areas of improvement.

How can you help at this event? Here’s some ideas:

• Upload your team sheet to the BUCS External SharePoint ahead of the event!
• Be self-sufficient by bringing your own refillable bottles and coffee cups to reduce waste
• Ensure you are disposing of waste correctly – Check around the venue for specific recycling and food waste bins
• Travel smarter – as a team on a minibus, cycle or use public transport
• Go paperless - use your phone for all event information

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.