World Rugby has confirmed Kenya as host of the inaugural round of the HSBC SVNS Division 2, handing Nairobi the honour of launching the second season of the revamped global sevens series on 14 to 15 February 2026.
The HSBC Nairobi Sevens will mark the first time top tier international rugby sevens has been staged on Kenyan soil, placing East Africa at the forefront of the sports new three leg second division calendar. Brazil and Uruguay will host the subsequent rounds later in the year.
Kenya’s men, Shujaa, will face USA, Uruguay and Germany in Pool A, while the Kenya Lionesses meet Brazil, China and Spain in the women’s competition. Victories across the division will determine promotion to the elite HSBC SVNS circuit for the following season.
The decision crowns a decade long campaign by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) and government to bring flagship World Rugby events to the country. Kenya already boasts a strong hosting pedigree through the annual Safari Sevens and successful delivery of the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2009 and 2023, alongside the recent Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens.
A World Rugby delegation inspected venues including Nyayo National Stadium and the under construction Talanta Sports City in September, giving the bid final approval earlier this month.
KRU Chairperson Harriet Okach hailed the announcement as a landmark moment. “This milestone presents a significant opportunity for Kenya Rugby and the nation at large,” she said. “Hosting this event will strengthen our global presence, expand commercial potential, and inspire the next generation of players.”
Beyond the rugby, organisers anticipate a substantial boost to tourism and local business, with thousands of international visitors expected for the weekend festival style tournament.
For a nation whose passion for sevens is legendary, the chance to see Shujaa and Lionesses chase promotion on home turf, under floodlights and in front of partisan Nairobi crowds, promises to be one of the sporting highlights of 2026.
Tickets are expected to go on sale early in the new year.
