Kenya has officially been selected to host the opening leg of the 2026 World Rugby Sevens Division II Series, a major global event that will feature both men’s and women’s competitions. The tournament’s Kenyan leg will be branded the HSBC Nairobi Sevens, continuing the title partnership of HSBC, which has been a primary sponsor of the World Rugby Sevens circuit since 2014.
According to Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chief Executive Officer Thomas Odundo, the tournament will be staged at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi from February 14 to 15, 2026. This marks another significant milestone in Kenya’s growing stature as a preferred host for major international rugby events.
Following the Nairobi opener, the series will shift to South America for two consecutive weekends. Montevideo, Uruguay, will stage the second leg from March 21 to 22, followed by the final round in São Paulo, Brazil, scheduled for March 28 to 29, 2026.
Second World Rugby Sevens Event Hosted in Africa
The HSBC Nairobi Sevens becomes only the second Rugby Sevens Series event ever held on the African continent outside the World Series, after the long-running South Africa Sevens, which has been held in Cape Town since 2015. Its inclusion reflects World Rugby’s increasing commitment to diversifying host nations, expanding audiences, and supporting rugby’s growth across emerging markets.
This announcement follows a strategic visit to Nairobi by Nijel Cass, World Rugby’s Director of Competitions, during the 15th edition of the Africa Women’s Sevens, held at the RFUEA Grounds from November 15–16, 2025. Cass met with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya, Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah, and KRU Chairperson Harriet Okach to deliberate on Kenya’s preparedness and potential as a Division II host.
Kenya previously hosted the women’s continental event in 2014 at Machakos, and has twice successfully organised the World Rugby U20 Trophy, in 2009 at RFUEA Grounds and in 2023 at Nyayo National Stadium, strengthening its record as a reliable host nation.
Kenya to Handle Operational Costs
Odundo confirmed that Kenya will not be required to pay a hosting fee. However, the country will be responsible for local organisational costs, including logistics, venue preparation, security, hospitality, and event management.
He emphasised that securing hosting rights demonstrates World Rugby’s confidence in Kenya’s organisational capability and signals an opportunity for Kenya to elevate its global rugby profile.
“This is a significant moment for Kenya Rugby and for the nation. Hosting the event enhances our international visibility, increases commercial opportunities, and motivates the next generation of players,” Odundo stated.
Teams Set for Division II Campaign
The men’s Division II category will feature Kenya, the United States of America (USA), Uruguay, and Germany.
In the women’s Division II competition, Kenya, Brazil, China, and Spain have been confirmed.
Additional teams will join the group depending on the results of the Division III qualifiers scheduled for January 2026 in Dubai.
Economic and Financial Impact for Kenya Rugby and the Broader Economy
Hosting the HSBC Nairobi Sevens is expected to deliver substantial economic and commercial benefits to both the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) and the wider Kenyan economy. Although World Rugby does not pay direct hosting fees for Division II events, the KRU stands to generate significant revenue from sponsorships, broadcasting rights, ticket sales, hospitality packages, and merchandising. In previous international rugby tournaments staged in Kenya, gate collections alone have produced tens of millions of shillings, and with the increasing popularity of Sevens rugby domestically, the 2026 edition is projected to exceed those figures. Corporate partners, including banks, telecommunications firms, betting companies, and FMCG brands, are also expected to leverage the event through advertising, team partnerships, and branded fan experiences, creating additional commercial streams for KRU.
Furthermore, the economic spillover into the hospitality, tourism, and service sectors is considerable. A typical Sevens tournament attracts teams, officials, media crews, and travelling fans, driving demand for hotels, transport services, restaurants, entertainment venues, and tourism activities. Industry analysts estimate that a three- to four-day international sporting event in Nairobi can inject between KSh 400 million and KSh 700 million into the local economy through visitor spending, event procurement, logistics, and short-term employment opportunities. Local vendors, such as food suppliers, event contractors, security firms, and creative agencies, also benefit directly from procurement efforts coordinated by the KRU and government partners.
In addition, Kenya’s positioning as the opening host of the global Division II Series enhances its long-term commercial appeal. A successful event strengthens the country’s case for attracting more international rugby tournaments, creating opportunities for future sponsorship deals, sports tourism growth, and enhanced global broadcast exposure. For the government, the event aligns with broader economic goals of expanding Kenya’s sports and creative economy, strengthening Nairobi’s status as an international events destination, and promoting the country as a stable, capable host for world-class sporting competitions.
Revised Global Format for Sevens
World Rugby recently restructured the global Sevens framework, announced ahead of the Los Angeles Sevens in May 2025, dividing the series into three tiers: Division I, Division II, and Division III.
Despite winning their respective play-offs, both the Kenya Sevens (Shujaa) and the Kenya Lionesses remained in Division II under the new format, which now prioritizes long-term competitive balancing.
After the three-leg series in 2026, the top four teams (both men’s and women’s) will qualify to join the eight core Division I teams in the elite World Championship Series, which will feature three flagship stops:
- Hong Kong: April 17–19, 2026
- Valladolid, Spain: May 29–31, 2026
- Bordeaux, France: June 5–7, 2026
The winners of these events will be declared world champions. The bottom four teams in Division I will be relegated to Division II for the 2026/2027 season.
Odundo concluded by reaffirming Kenya’s readiness:
“Our focus is on delivering a world-class event that showcases elite-level rugby, uplifts fans, and reflects the cultural vibrancy and hospitality of Kenya.”
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