Asia Rugby and the Chinese Rugby Football Association (CRFA) formalised a major regional partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Emirates Dubai 7s. The agreement outlines China’s hosting rights for several major Asia Rugby competitions from in 2026 and 2027 and strengthens cooperation between both organisations in delivering world-class rugby events.
Under the MoU, CRFA will host four key Asia Rugby properties over the next four years, including:
- Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS): 2026, 2027
- Asia Rugby Emirates Under 18s Boys & Girls Sevens: 2026, 2027
Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai welcomed the strengthened collaboration:
“The signing of this MoU with the China Rugby Football Association (CRFA) here at the Emirates Dubai 7s represents a significant milestone for rugby in Asia. China has demonstrated remarkable commitment and ambition, and we are proud to strengthen this strategic partnership. Asia Rugby looks forward to working closely with CRFA to deliver world-class competitions that create meaningful pathways and opportunities for our athletes, unions, and the continued growth of our game and fan base across the continent”
Key Areas of Cooperation
The MoU sets out a structured framework detailing how both organisations will collaborate:
Asia Rugby will:
- Provide the official competition structure, technical guidelines, and tournament regulations.
- Appoint match officials, technical staff, and support personnel for each event.
- Provide financial hosting allowances and subsidies as agreed in separate Hosting Agreements.
- Deliver branding, marketing, and broadcast guidelines and support.
- Oversee monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance with Asia Rugby standards.
CRFA will:
- Lead on-the-ground hosting, organisation, promotion, and delivery of each competition.
- Coordinate with local authorities, broadcasters, and commercial partners.
- Ensure compliance with all technical and operational requirements, including multi-camera broadcast production, TMO, medical services, and player welfare provisions.
Statement from Mr Wang Yun, President of the Chinese Rugby Football Association (CRFA) “We are honoured to partner with Asia Rugby through this multi-year agreement. Hosting these major regional competitions in China in 2026 and 2027 reflects our commitment to growing the game and providing high-quality opportunities for athletes across Asia. This cooperation will not only elevate rugby in China but also contribute to a stronger, more connected Asian rugby community. We look forward to working closely with Asia Rugby to deliver exceptional events and inspire the next generation of players.”
Asia Rugby CEO Benjamin van Rooyen commented:
“This agreement ensures a consistent, high-impact competition structure in East Asia over the next four years. We appreciate CRFA’s commitment and operational capability, and together we aim to set new standards for rugby delivery across the continent.”
Strengthening Rugby Across Asia
The formalisation of this partnership underscores Asia Rugby’s continued strategic focus on expanding high-performance pathways, enhancing youth development, and increasing the regional footprint of major competitions. China’s hosting of multiple tournaments reflects the nation’s rising role in the regional rugby ecosystem.
Long-Term Stability for Asia Rugby’s Calendar
This long-term partnership also allows Asia Rugby to firm up its competition calendar well in advance, giving national teams across the region greater certainty, more preparation time, and improved planning cycles. Such multi-year commitments ensure better performance environments and stronger strategic alignment for all 36 member unions.
