Germany will take another step up the rugby ladder when they host the DHL Oktoberfest 7s featuring some of the world’s greatest rugby nations, including Olympic champions Fiji.
Six million visitors flock to Munich every autumn for the world’s most famous beer festival and this year rugby fans will have more reason than most to join the festivities as six of the planet’s top ten sides compete in the inaugural DHL Oktoberfest 7s from 29-30th September, 2017.
Fiji, Australia, England, South Africa, France and Argentina, will be among the 12 rugby nations fighting it out at this unique sevens invitational that hosts Germany hope will one day form part of the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit.
England faced Germany at the Exeter 7s earlier this year
Germany’s rise in the rugby world has been well documented – read our article here – with the 15s side having held their own in the maiden season in European rugby’s second tier, but the nation’s bid to join rugby’s elite has been on two fronts.
After narrowly missing out on qualification to the top table of sevens earlier this year, this will be Germany’s first major rugby event and give them the opportunity to show what they can do on a big stage against the very best in the world.
Matches will be played at the famed 69,000 Olympic Stadium, host of the 1972 Olympic Games and home ground of Bayern Munich until 2005. Fittingly, the Rhino Vortex Elite (pictured, top), the official matchball of Rugby Europe, will also be used for every game of the tournament.
Oktoberfest itself is just 15 minutes from the Olympic Stadium. Held since 1810 and during which eight million steins of beer are consumed, it is one of Europe’s top bucket-list events.
In addition to supplying the matchday ball and pitch kits (click here to view our range), Rhino has also created some bespoke supporters balls for the event. These includes designs featuring steins (see below) and even lederhosen.
To find out more about the Rhino Vortex Elite, click here
To find out more about the DHL Oktoberfest 7s, click here