Nairobi is set to host a global tournament in 2026, following Kenya’s successful co-hosting of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
World Rugby officially confirmed Nairobi as one of the host cities for the three HSBC SVNS Division 2 events in the 2026 season on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
The announcement follows Kenya’s bid, submitted in September, to host one of the newly introduced Division 2 legs of the prestigious World Rugby Sevens Series. A delegation from World Rugby subsequently visited the country to conduct a final assessment of the proposal.
During the official launch of the HSBC SVNS 2026 season in Dubai, World Rugby confirmed that Nairobi will stage the first Division 2 tournament, scheduled for February 14–15 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium. The event will be known as the HSBC Nairobi Sevens.
KRU responds after Nairobi is selected to host the leg of HSBC SVNS 2
After Nairobi, the second outing will be held in Montevideo, Uruguay, on March 21-22, before the final outing takes place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from March 28-29.
Speaking on the announcement, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairperson, Harriet Okach, expressed immense pride and optimism:
“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,” Okach said.
“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.”
The SVNS Division 2 will feature six teams per gender competing across three events. The top four teams will then get promoted to the SVNS World Championship, where they will meet the top 8 teams from the SVNS Division 1 in the last three outings of the season in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux.
Also Read: Arsenal Host Bayern Munich After Chelsea Win Against Barcelona; Key Talking Points and Head-to-Head
From the 12 sides, teams that finish inside the top 8 will get Division 1 tickets for the 2027 SVNS campaign.
Both the Kenya men’s and women’s national rugby 7s sides, Shujaa and Lionesses, respectively, will be participating in the SVNS Division 2 in 2026.
The HSBC SVNS 2026 season features an expanded calendar of 13 tournaments and a new competitive structure that strengthens global participation and offers a clear pathway from regional qualifiers to world-championship contention.
2026 season structure
The HSBC SVNS Series consists of six regular-season events: November 29–30, 2025 (Dubai), December 6–7 2025 (Cape Town), January 31–February 1, 2026 (Singapore), February 7–8, 2026 (Australia), March 7–8 2026 (Vancouver), and March 14–15 2026 (USA).
The season then progresses to the HSBC SVNS World Championship, hosted on April 17–19 2026 (Hong Kong), May 29–31 2026 (Valladolid), and June 5–7 2026 (Bordeaux).
Additional tiers include HSBC SVNS 2— February 14–15 2026 (Nairobi), March 21–22 2026 (Montevideo), March 28–29 2026 (São Paulo)—and HSBC SVNS 3, scheduled for January 17–19 2026.
The revamped competition model operates across three divisions. Division 1 features eight men’s and eight women’s teams contesting the six core SVNS Series events. Division 2 includes six teams per gender competing across three tournaments, while Division 3 functions as a standalone Challenger tier with eight teams per gender advancing from regional qualifiers.
Also Read: Top 5 Teams Lionesses Will Face as Kenya Hosts Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens
The top performers—eight Division 1 teams and four Division 2 teams—advance to the SVNS World Championship Series, where 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams compete for the world title. All events integrate men’s and women’s competitions with equal representation and participation fees.
The top-level teams for the 2026 Series are:
- Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
- Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
Confirmed Division 2 men’s teams are Kenya, USA, Uruguay, and Germany, while Division 2 women’s teams include Kenya, Brazil, China, and Spain.
The women’s competition is expected to be highly competitive, with the Lionesses eager to harness home support against experienced international sides.
The Kenya Rugby Union has maintained that preparations for the tournament are already underway, with Kenya gearing up to deliver a spectacular sporting festival that will draw fans, athletes, and stakeholders from across the globe.
Further details on match schedules, ticketing, fan engagement activities, and event logistics will be shared in due course.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
