The Emirates Dubai 7s, the premier sports and entertainment festival in the Middle East, concluded with an exciting finale on Sunday. The Fiji men’s and Australia women’s teams captured victories in the HSBC SVNS 2025 Series opening leg.
Fiji triumphed over Spain 19-5, clinching their first tournament win since 2022 and their first in Dubai since 2016. Meanwhile, Australia’s women secured their fifth consecutive Dubai title by defeating Olympic champions New Zealand 28-24, with France taking the bronze after beating Great Britain 15-12.
Maddison Levi made headlines with a 75-meter intercept try, which won the match and broke Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s single-tournament record. “I am extremely proud of the girls,” said Australia’s captain, Bella Nasser. “We’ve got a tight-knit group, and the best is yet to come.”
Levi scored 37 tries last season, positioning Australia as runners-up to New Zealand in the World Series. The festival culminated with British star Stormzy performing on the Frequency on 8 stage to a crowd of over 25,000 strong.
The event also showcased a diverse lineup of artists and DJs, attracting global teams to compete in rugby, netball, cricket, and other sports. This year, a record number of teams vied for the coveted Dubai 7s trophies, underscoring the event’s status as a leading global affair.