After the outstanding success of the inclusion of the qualification tournament for HSBC Sevens World Series' (HSBC SWS) core team status held last year in Hong Kong, the world-famous Hong Kong Sevens has again been trusted by the IRB with playing a formative role in determining future core teams on the World Series.

Reinforcing its customary role as the largest and most international of HSBC SWS events, Hong Kong will host a 28-team tournament in 2013 for the first time in the event's 38-year history.

28 teams will take part in the Hong Kong Sevens separated into two separate competitions. This will see a 16 team main competition, involving the 15 core teams and Asian Sevens Series winners Hong Kong, played alongside a 12-team pre-qualification tournament.