The event will be the biggest rugby tournament to be staged by Russia, which also makes its debut at the 15-man World Cup in New Zealand next year.

The sixth World Cup Sevens will include 24 men's and 16 women's teams, and the International Rugby Board (IRB) said it would provide an indication of which nations will be the leading contenders for Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The tournament is expected to be the last World Cup staged before it is scrapped so that the Olympics is the pinnacle of the sport.

Although rugby was in the Olympics until 1924, it is returning as a seven-a-side sport.

Wales and Australia won the men's and women's titles last year in Dubai.

Russia were chosen ahead of rival bidders Brazil and Germany.

Howard Thomas, the vice-president of the Russian Rugby Federation (RRF), said: "In order to help rugby grow in stature and make progress in Russia one needs to convince first the Government and then the public.

"We have the Government support and the second step will be to expand the concept to the public.

"We felt that sevens was ideally suited to help us attract the public and generate interest.

"It is much simpler than 15-a-side rugby, easy to educate, easier to explain and has been accepted into the Olympics, which is immensely significant in countries like Russia."

Bernard Lapasset, the President of the IRB, said: "Council Members were extremely impressed with the Rugby Union of Russia bid, and we are sure that Moscow will host a special tournament for the 24 men's and 16 women's teams and the thousands of visiting fans from all around the world.

"Moscow has an exceptional history of delivering major international sports events, and rugby is riding a wave of development in Russia thanks to the Olympic Games decision and their historic qualification for Rugby World Cup 2011."

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