In February 2026 Nairobi will step onto the global stage in a way Kenyan rugby fans have dreamed of for years, as the city hosts the opener of the rebranded HSBC SVNS Division 2 series. The World SVNS Division 2 opener at Nyayo National Stadium is more than a tournament, it is a statement that East African rugby has earned a central place in the world conversation.
How Nairobi won the right to host the opener
World Rugby confirmed in Dubai that Nairobi will stage the first outing of the new Division 2 circuit in the 2026 season, a landmark announcement that capped months of behind the scenes work by Kenyan officials. Kenya had been fronted as a potential host from September, with World Rugby later sending officials to Nairobi for a final assessment of facilities and preparations at Nyayo National Stadium.
That inspection trip proved decisive. After evaluating the proposed venue and logistical plans, global administrators gave the green light, awarding Kenya hosting rights for one of the three HSBC SVNS Division 2 tournaments. The event will be branded the HSBC Nairobi Sevens, with play scheduled for Saturday 14 February and Sunday 15 February 2026, a mid season highlight that will launch the second tier series in style.
Why this is a historic breakthrough for Kenya and East Africa
For years Kenya has been known as one of the most passionate rugby nations on the sevens circuit, regularly drawing loud, colourful crowds at home and bringing that same energy to tournaments abroad. With this decision, World Rugby has effectively acknowledged that reputation and elevated Kenya to the status of trusted global host for a major international competition.
World Rugby described the Nairobi leg as the critical first stop on the three event HSBC SVNS 2 calendar, a description that underlines the significance of the choice. For the wider East African region, it is a historic moment, since it places Nairobi at the forefront of a global season that stretches across multiple continents and serves as a gateway to the sport’s top tier.
Nyayo National Stadium set for a rugby sevens showcase
The HSBC Nairobi Sevens will take place at Nyayo National Stadium, a venue that has hosted some of Kenya’s biggest sporting occasions. For two days the ground will transform into a carnival of sevens rugby, with men’s and women’s teams chasing promotion to the SVNS World Championship.
The atmosphere at Nyayo is expected to match the city’s long standing rugby culture, where fans regularly pack stands with drums, flags and songs. With both the men’s side Shujaa and the women’s team the Lionesses competing in Division 2 in 2026, local support should be intense from the first kick off.
Harriet Okach on what the tournament means for Kenya
Kenya Rugby Union Chairperson Harriet Okach captured the emotion of the announcement in a statement that mixed pride with a clear sense of responsibility. She stressed that the union is honoured by the trust World Rugby has shown in awarding hosting rights for 14 and 15 February 2026 and framed the decision as a national opportunity rather than just a rugby milestone.
Okach highlighted that hosting the HSBC SVNS 2 opener will strengthen Kenya’s global presence and expand commercial potential, vital elements for a sport that is always battling for resources and visibility. She also spoke about inspiring the next generation of players, linking the event at Nyayo National Stadium to kids watching in schools and local clubs who will see their heroes compete at home against international opposition.
“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 said.
Shujaa and Lionesses get rare home advantage
The timing of the successful bid could hardly be better for the national teams. Kenya’s men, widely known as Shujaa, and the women’s side, the Lionesses, will both take part in Division 2 in 2026, which means they will open their campaigns on familiar turf. In a short, high intensity sevens series where momentum is everything, that is a powerful edge.
The men’s draw promises serious tests. The home crowd will rally behind Shujaa as they line up against opponents including the USA, Uruguay and Germany in the Nairobi leg. These teams bring different strengths, from the physicality and depth of the USA to the dogged competitiveness of Uruguay and the organisation of Germany, and Shujaa will need to harness the roar of Nyayo to seize early promotion points.
For the Lionesses the road looks equally demanding. They are set to face Brazil, China and Spain in the women’s competition, a mix of styles and rugby cultures that will challenge Kenya to respond with composure and belief. Recent memories of a heavy 22-0 defeat to South Africa in the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s final in Nairobi will linger, but they could also fuel a fierce determination to show progress when global attention turns to the city again.
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The format of the HSBC SVNS Division 2 series
Nairobi will not stand alone. The 2026 HSBC SVNS Division 2 calendar stretches across three legs, with each stop adding weight to the promotion race. After the Nyayo spectacle in mid February, the circuit moves to Montevideo in Uruguay on 21 and 22 March, then concludes in São Paulo, Brazil from 28 to 29 March, creating a truly transcontinental contest.
Across these three events, six teams per gender will compete for promotion to the SVNS World Championship. The stakes are clear, the top four teams on combined standings will earn advancement, joining eight Division 1 sides for the final three events of the season in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux. For any nation in Division 2, the journey to those iconic venues starts with every tackle and every sprint in Nairobi.
Pressure and opportunity in the promotion battle
The promotion structure adds a sharp competitive edge to the Division 2 opener. With only four promotion spots available, there is little room for error across three tournaments, which raises the value of every win at Nyayo National Stadium. A strong start in Nairobi can set up a team for the rest of the campaign, while a poor weekend immediately forces a desperate chase across South America.
Once promoted, teams will not simply enjoy a cameo at the top level. From the combined pool of 12 sides, the eight best finishers will secure Division 1 status for the 2027 SVNS season. That promise of long term elevation will drive the intensity of competition and gives added meaning to the Kenyan leg, since it serves as the launchpad for ambitions that stretch well beyond 2026.
What this means for Kenyan rugby culture and fans
For Kenyan supporters, the HSBC Nairobi Sevens is more than a chance to watch international rugby at home. It is a celebration of a culture that has been built over decades, from grassroots tournaments to packed stands during previous sevens events. The sight of Shujaa and the Lionesses running out at Nyayo with promotion on the line will bring together generations of fans who have followed the teams through highs and lows.
The tournament will also showcase Kenyan culture to the world, from music and dance in the stands to the vibrant colours of local supporters. World Rugby’s decision to open the series in Nairobi acknowledges that sevens is not only about what happens on the field, but also about the energy that fans provide. In that area, Kenyan rugby has long been ahead of the curve.
Commercial and developmental impact for Kenya
On a practical level, hosting a leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 circuit can transform rugby’s footprint in the country. Increased global visibility often attracts new sponsors and partners, which in turn can support development programmes, coaching structures and youth competitions. The event’s branding as the HSBC Nairobi Sevens positions the city as a recurring name in international sports conversations.
For young players, seeing international teams arrive in Nairobi with everything at stake in the race to the SVNS World Championship can be life changing. It offers a clear pathway from school pitches and local clubs to a world stage that is accessible on home soil. That is the kind of inspiration Harriet Okach referenced when she spoke of the next generation, and it is one of the most powerful legacies a tournament can leave behind.
Nairobi as a gateway to the future of rugby sevens
The restructured global sevens circuit is still taking shape, and the HSBC SVNS Division 2 opener in Nairobi will play a central role in defining its identity. By starting the series in a city known for its noise, colour and passion, World Rugby is signalling that the sport’s future lies in places where rugby is woven into community life as much as it is into elite performance.
For Kenya, the challenge is now set. The country must deliver on the promise of a world class event while Shujaa and the Lionesses attempt to turn home advantage into a promotion platform. If they succeed, Nairobi will not just be remembered as a historic first stop on the calendar, it will be celebrated as the venue where a new chapter of Kenyan and East African rugby truly began.
