Fans can let loose in stands at S'pore 7S
They can eat and drink in their seats as rules relaxed for return of international rugby
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The party is set to return with the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens, as organisers announced yesterday that up to 12,000 fans will be allowed into the National Stadium per day, with the consumption of food and drinks permitted in the stands.
Tickets to the April 9-10 Singapore Sevens are priced from $25 for children and youth aged four to 17 and $49 for adults. They will go on sale from 10am on Sunday, added the organisers.
"Ticket holders will be able to enjoy world-class rugby action accompanied by an extensive line-up of off-pitch entertainment at the two-day family-themed Sevens carnival," said its spokesman.
"This event also marks the first time a major sporting event in Singapore will be allowing food and beverage options, including alcohol, within the spectator stands since Covid-19."
It is understood that approval was given to the Singapore Sevens for food and beverages to be consumed in the stands, as the guidelines issued in an advisory by national agency Sport Singapore last week allow for this only in specially designated areas.
Up to 12,000 spectators - who are required to submit a self-administered negative antigen rapid test result before gaining entry - can be in the stands to catch the action per day.
The test result must be submitted online and proof of submission via e-mail receipt will be required for verification purposes.
Within the stands, fans will be required to be in groups of no larger than five persons with safe distancing measures also in place.
Lucas Tan, a 34-year-old who works in the banking sector, said: "As a fan, I would still go down to watch even if we had to eat elsewhere (in the stadium), but being able to have food and drinks while watching the action is a big part of the Sevens experience and will make a big difference.
"So I'm glad (it is allowed) and it makes me look forward to the competition even more."
The Singapore Sevens will return to the National Stadium after postponements in 2020 and last year owing to the pandemic. It will be the fifth of nine legs of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens series, which started with two events in Dubai late last year.
The Singapore Sevens will welcome back Olympic champions Fiji and 2020 series champions New Zealand. Fiji did not compete in the third and fourth legs in Spain due to a spate of positive Covid-19 cases within their squad, while New Zealand will be making their first appearance this season after travel-related restrictions arising from the pandemic.
Beyond the action on the field, fans and families can also participate in fringe activities including a bouncy castle, movie screenings and live performances.
The first three editions of the Singapore Sevens, from 2016 to 2018, attracted 140,000 fans in all.
The last edition in 2019 drew 57,000 to the National Stadium over two days.
