The 2026 HSBC World Rugby Sevens will happen in Kenya, with the opening leg scheduled for 14th to 15th February 2026 at the Nyayo National Stadium. Kenya is set to engrave its name in history books as the second African nation, after South Africa, to host a leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series.
The tournament will bring together men’s and women’s national teams in separate pools under the SVNS2 Series, the newly created second tier of World Rugby’s three-level international sevens structure for the 2026 season.
Positioned between the elite HSBC SVNS Series and the entry-level SVNS 3, SVNS 2 serves as the crucial bridge in the global rugby sevens pathway.
Kenya Shujaa will headline the men’s competition, locking horns with USA 7s, Uruguay 7s, Germany 7s, Canada 7s and Belgium 7s in a fierce international showdown. In the women’s pool, the Kenya Lionesses welcome Brazil 7s, China 7s, Spain 7s, South Africa 7s and Argentina 7s for a high-stakes battle on home soil.
“Kenya Rugby Union is honoured by the trust World Rugby has placed in us to host the HSBC SVNS 2 on 14th to 15th February 2026. This milestone presents a significant opportunity for Kenya Rugby and the nation at large. Hosting this event will strengthen our global presence, expand commercial potential, and inspire the next generation of players,” Kenya Rugby Union Chairperson Harriet Okach said after the announcement that Kenya will host the 2026 HSBC World Rugby Sevens.
“We are committed to delivering an exceptional, world-class event that showcases elite rugby, celebrates our fans, and highlights the unique cultural vibrancy of Kenya. We look forward to welcoming the global rugby family to Nairobi for an unforgettable SVNS experience,” Okach stressed.
Kenya’s Shujaa and Lionesses face a packed opening weekend as the action kicks off on Saturday. The Shujaa begin their campaign against Canada 7s at 10:50 in the morning, before clashing with Belgium 7s at 13:52 and closing the day against Germany 7s at 16:54 hours.
Kenya Lionesses open their account earlier at 09:44 against Brazil 7s, followed by a showdown with China 7s at 12:46, before wrapping up Saturday with a tough test against South Africa 7s at 15:48.
On Sunday, the final day of the Kenyan leg, the Shujaa return to face Uruguay 7s at 12:50 before capping off their campaign with a thrilling encounter against USA 7s at 17:02. The Lionesses will take on Argentina 7s at 11:44 before concluding their fixtures against Spain 7s at 15:56.
Teams competing in the SVNS2 Series earn points across each leg, with standings determined by cumulative performance. At season’s end, the top four SVNS2 teams qualify for the SVNS World Championship events, where they face off against leading Division 1 sides. This pathway opens the door for emerging rugby nations to climb toward elite sevens competition, strengthening the global growth of the game.
The 2026 HSBC World Rugby Sevens will be staged across three countries, kicking off in Nairobi, Kenya, from February 14th to 15th. After a short break, the series heads to Montevideo, Uruguay, on March 21st and 22nd, before concluding in São Paulo, Brazil, from March 28th to 29th, 2026.
Kenya’s Shujaa (men) and Lionesses (women) teams earned their places in the 2026 HSBC World Rugby Sevens through World Rugby’s qualification pathway also called the Challenger route.
Kenya Lionesses topped the 2025 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, finishing first overall with 56 points after a dominant three-leg campaign.
They sealed their rise at the Los Angeles promotion playoffs, edging South Africa 17-14 in the finals to clinch a place in the 2026 HSBC SVNS 2, the second tier of the global rugby sevens structure.
“The Lionesses have prepared well, including training in Europe and fine-tuning structures, and the team spirit and mental readiness are strong as we head into the tournament. The training camps in Spain and Belgium have been very beneficial, and the team has put in the work that was required for a competition of this scale,” said head coach Simon Odongo in an interview with SportPesa
In the men’s Challenger pathway, Shujaa advanced to the promotion playoffs following the Challenger Series. Despite mixed results in pool play at the Los Angeles playoffs, they finished second in their group to book a place in the must-win final, where they delivered a commanding 24-5 victory over Canada to secure their spot in the 2026 HSBC SVNS 2 Series.
“All the teams have prepared well; there are no weak sides at this level, so we will take it one match at a time and see where we stand at the end of the weekend,” said Shujaa head coach Kevin Wambua in an interview with The Star daily.
Kenya Shujaa was a core team in the elite Division 1 series for several seasons, particularly between 2016 and 2020, a period highlighted by their historic Singapore Sevens triumph in 2016, the first World Rugby Sevens Cup win by an African team. After losing core status, Shujaa have been battling their way back through the Challenger and SVNS2 pathway, determined to reclaim their lost glory and a place among the elite.
The Kenya Lionesses have yet to feature in Division 1 but have consistently competed in the Challenger and SVNS2 Series, where their steady rise has seen them break new ground. Under the new SVNS structure, the women’s team is using the pathway system to push toward a historic first appearance in the top tier.
Kenya Breweries Limited, through its flagship brand Tusker Lager, leads the corporate sponsorship line-up with a Sh40 million commitment aimed at supporting tournament operations, fan engagement, and publicity. SportPesa has matched that support with a Sh40 million contribution in cash and in-kind sponsorship, covering branding and team kit support.
Safaricom through M-PESA has invested Sh10 million as the official technology partner, providing connectivity and media support for the event. Additional backing comes from the Kenya Power Foundation, which has committed Sh3 million to bolster tournament operations and logistics, while Crown Paints has pledged Sh2 million to support event preparations.
Other partners, including the Ministry of Sports, Capital FM, the Sports Fund, and TikoHub ticketing platform, will also play a key role in delivering world-class rugby sevens action in Nairobi.
“This tournament means a great deal to us… your financial and institutional backing has inspired us and elevated our performance on the pitch. To our fans, we invite you to come out in large numbers and cheer us on as we aim to make history,” said Lionesses captain Sheila Chajira in an interview with Business Radar.
By Victor Ngugi
