Brighton rugby festival cancelled a month after launch

The Brighton 7s Festival, which was set to take place in June, has now been postponed until further notice due to "several external risks that have become too significant for the event to continue".

Organisers also cited increased costs which have created a funding gap, preventing them from delivering the events as planned.

Director of the festival Ben McNamara said the news was "incredibly disappointing" and thanked hard-working suppliers, consultants, partners and venues for their role in planning and designing the event.

• READ MORE: First of its kind rugby festival to combine competition, thought and entertainment launched

He said: "This gratitude also extends to the many teams, musicians, and speakers who want to be involved in this amazing weekend of rugby, music, and progressive thinking that underpins its ethos.

"It is for them, the participants, the fans, our customers, and the collective desire to ‘unite the spirit of rugby with the spirit of Brighton’ that this event concept exists, and we hope to bring it to you soon."

The festival, launched at the i360 last month, would have seen rugby 7s combined with music and an industry-leading conference across the University of Brighton and the Amex Stadium from June 25 to June 26.

• READ MORE: Todrick Hall added to main stage line-up at Brighton Pride

Organisers had hoped to live stream different stages throughout the weekend, with plans for viewers to watch music, rugby 7s and the conference simultaneously from anywhere in the world, as well as being able to comment live during the broadcast.

Speaking last month, Mr McNamara said: "Brighton is the perfect city to host rugby 7s - both are inclusive, entertaining, and global in their reach.

"The supply-chain was forced to re-invent itself during the past 18 months, and we’ve seen an increase in affordable broadcast platforms that enable us to showcase Brighton 7s Festival to the world, while making it incredibly engaging for fans of both rugby and music.

"We can provide a truly global experience, that has typically only been available to the big industry players."

The event's terms and conditions say that ticket purchases for the festival are non-refundable "in any circumstances".

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