Kenya will host one of the three legs of the 2026 World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament, featuring both men's and women's competitions. The leg will be referred to as HSBC Nairobi Sevens.
HSBC, a British universal bank and financial services group, has sponsored the World Rugby Sevens Series since 2014.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chief Executive Officer Thomas Odundo disclosed that Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium will stage the first leg on February 14- 15 next year.
The HSBC Nairobi Sevens will be the second World Rugby Sevens event to be staged in Africa after the South Africa Sevens, which has rotated in cities across Africa’s largest economy. Cape Town has hosted the leg since 2015.
The good news follows the visit by World Rugby director in charge of competition, Nijel Cass, during the 15th edition of the Africa Women’s Sevens held at the RFUEA from November 15 to 16 this year.
Cass held discussions with Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah and KRU chairperson Harriet Okach concerning the hosting of the World Division II event.
Read: Herbert Mensah backs sevens version to grow Kenya, Africa’s rugby
