The Ultimate Sevens tournament is set to kick off with an exciting draft, featuring a star-studded lineup of players from around the globe. This inaugural season promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with 17 nations and 131 players participating in the men's and women's teams. The competition will take place across four back-to-back weeks in Spain, Wales, France, and England in September, with head coaches already confirmed. Each of the six sides will have a squad of up to 12 players, including two marquee players, nine elite players, and one academy player. The draft is underway, with clubs selecting players for their male and female squads over five rounds this week. The marquee players have been announced, and the full squads will be finalized by the end of the week. Pacific Current has secured Fijian and Australian stars Maddison Levi and Reapi Ulunisau for the women's side, while Henry Hutchison and Terio Veilawa join the men's squad. Spanish star Manu Monero and Argentine Luciano González are part of the men's Sol Feroz team, with Thalia Costa and Jimena Blanco-Hortiguena leading the women's side, which recently earned promotion to the SVNS Series. Atlantic Novas will feature USA and Canadian stars Lucas Lacamp and Stephen Tomasin, alongside Canadian Krissy Scurfield and 2026 SVNS Champion Faith Nathan on the women's team. Albion Athletic has signed Abbie Brown and Isabella Nasser, the latter of whom was named in the SVNS Dream Team of the Year, while Men's SVNS Player of the Year Tristan Leyds joins Great Britain captain Charlton Kerr. Clan Taran will showcase a strong Southern Hemisphere presence with New Zealand's Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Roderick Solo, alongside Australian Heidi Dennis and Blitzbok Shilton van Wyk. Foudre Bleue will have a French-dominated men's team with Paris gold medalist Antoine Zeghdar and Paulin Riva, while XVs convert Valentine Lothoz and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carla Neisen will be on the women's side. The draft concludes this week, with all teams set to confirm their remaining elite and academy players before the tournament begins in September. This event is a testament to the global reach and talent of rugby sevens, offering a unique and exciting format that will captivate audiences worldwide.
