A huge contingent of Rugby Sevens teams from as far afield as Papua New Guinea will converge on Port Douglas on 23 February.

27 teams have already confirmed their attendance for this year's event, and organisers from local Rugby Union club the Port Douglas Reef Raiders say this is just the beginning with big plans for the future.

"Whilst the tournament has come from humble beginnings, it has grown substantially each year and it is our intention to grow it to become the significant Rugby event in the North of Queensland," Raiders' spokesperson Adam Calcraft said.

He said the event is well placed to take advantage of the rise in popularity of the sport, particularly with its inclusion in the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro which shares many climatic characteristics with Port Douglas.

"With the support of our local and regional tourism organisations we are seeking to increase our sponsorship to increase our marketing reach and to offer significant prize money with a tiered competition to enable all skill levels to be competitive and be in the running for the rewards," Calcraft said.

Organisers are looking to take advantage of direct flights to Cairns, and see the potential to attract teams and visitors from the domestic market as well as several countries throughout Asia.

Confirmed teams
PNG National Sevens
Rockhampton
Mackay Representatives
Townsville Representatives
2 teams from Burdekin
Townsville Barbarians
Bunda Seniors
Bunda Under 19s
Weipa
8 clubs of FNQ Rugby
Cairns Representatives (seniors)
Cairns Representatives (under 19s)
Blackwater
6 women’s teams from Townsville north including a Townsville Army side

Teams to beat
PNG National Sevens
Cairns
Blackwater