SINGAPORE - The Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) and the Sports Hub have announced a long-term strategic partnership to host the Singapore leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Believed to be a first-of-its-kind tie-up for Singapore sports, the deal will see the two parties share costs and profits as well as jointly promote the April 16-17 showpiece at the National Stadium.

"We are no longer a hiree of a stadium but rather, a joint venture partner - this is a hard-nosed business relationship," SRU president Low Teo Ping said at a press conference on Thursday.

Sports Hub CEO Manu Sawhney added: "We have a shared vision to make Singapore the most successful leg on the circuit."

The Republic is among 10 host cities for the 2015-16 season, which kicked off in Dubai last month. The Singapore leg will be held a week after the iconic Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

Organisers have targeted a daily crowd of 26,000, with nearly 10,000 tickets sold so far.