Is 7v7 the future of buhurt? When a modern format reconnects with a medieval root
Magna Carta summed up the idea in a single sentence on Instagram: 7v7 wouldn’t be a recent invention, but a return to a logic already seen in history.
“Why 7 vs 7? History already gave the answer. We first tested the 7 vs 7 format at our A New Hope tournament in France and it worked… In 1402… Seven French knights faced seven English opponents…”
What’s interesting about this positioning is that it does two things at once: it claims a sporting choice (more movement, more dynamism), and it gives it narrative legitimacy (a precise medieval precedent).
A test in France, then a format fully embraced in Monaco. On the modern side, Magna Carta clearly links the breakthrough to A New Hope: a tournament in France where 7v7 was highlighted as a “breathing” format, close to 5v5, but richer in movement and collective options.
The tournament did take place, and a full replay is available.
1402, Montendre: the historical precedent Magna Carta puts back in the spotlight
At the heart of the Instagram post is the reference to the Combat of the Seven: a seven-on-seven clash near Montendre Castle during the Hundred Years’ War, dated to May 19, 1402 in several sources.
The episode is documented as a formalized fight, part of a tradition of “feats of arms” comparable to other codified combats of the period. Some sources also mention a ritual framework, including attending mass before the fight, and the idea that the event was later retold in texts and celebrations.
That’s exactly what Magna Carta is leveraging: 7v7 becomes a format that feels consistent with the medieval imagination, not just a modern competition setting.
What do you think?
And you, what’s your take: is 7v7 a real evolution of buhurt, or simply an “event” format that will never replace 5v5? Do you feel it brings more movement, more tactics, and better readability, or instead too much chaos and too many constraints for clubs (roster size, fatigue, officiating)? Tell us if you want to see more 7v7 tournaments, and why, on the associated Instagram post.