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Record TV Coverage for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009

The International Rugby Board has announced that Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 will surpass all previous Sevens tournament TV broadcast records.

The broadcast-friendly showpiece event in Dubai, which will break new ground with the inclusion for the first time of a 16-team women’s tournament running alongside the 24-team men’s competition, will be screened in 140 countries through 25 international broadcasters.

With the competition promising to be intense, highlighted by the most competitive start to an IRB Sevens World Series in a decade, Rugby fans around the world will be treated to over 380 hours of live, delayed and highlights coverage.

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“Rugby Sevens continues to be a hit with television broadcasters around the world. Its unique blend of explosive action, world-class players and highly-competitive format packaged in matches of fourteen minutes, has proven successful in reaching out to new young audiences, sponsors and broadcasters. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 looks set to raise the bar once more,” said Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“These record broadcast figures mean that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to experience Rugby Sevens at its thrilling and spectacular best, furthering the promotion of Sevens to the world sporting community as the IRB reaches out for the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games.”

The previous television broadcast record was set at the 2005 tournament in Hong Kong where a truly memorable tournament was broadcast to 300 million homes worldwide, in 125 countries through 20 international broadcasters.

The Rugby Sevens success story is underpinned by the IRB Sevens World Series, the popular grand prix style championship comprising eight international events, which this year is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The the 2007/08 Series was the most successful to date, televised in 135 countries by 33 international broadcasters, reaching 223 million homes in 13 different languages.

Tickets are available through the official tournament website, www.rwcsevens.com, while a range of international travel packages are available to residents in Argentina, Australia, France, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA through the official travel partner Gullivers Travel via www.gulliverstravel.co.uk.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TICKETING, CORPORATE HOSPITALITY AND TRAVEL PACKAGES