All eyes are on Nairobi as Kenya officially hosts the inaugural leg of the HSBC SVNS Division 2 (SVNS 2) rugby sevens tournament, with 12 elite teams from across the world set to compete at Nyayo National Stadium.
The two-day competition will take place on 14–15 February 2026, marking a major milestone for Kenyan rugby and the wider East African sporting calendar.
The event forms part of World Rugby’s revamped sevens structure, offering emerging nations a chance to battle for promotion to the top tier of the global sevens circuit.
Kenya becomes the second African nation after South Africa to stage a leg of the HSBC Division 2 series — a testament to the country’s rising status in international rugby.
All 12 teams have now arrived in Nairobi ahead of the tournament, concluding their preparatory camps and settling in for the competition this weekend.
The lineup is made up of six men’s and six women’s national sides drawn from 11 countries.
The Men’s Division has: Kenya Shujaa (hosts), USA 7s, Canada 7s, Uruguay 7s, Germany 7s, Belgium 7s
The Women’s Division includes: Kenya Lionesses (hosts), South Africa 7s, Brazil 7s, China 7s, Argentina 7s, Spain 7s
The teams arrived in Nairobi in the days up to 12 February, taking part in official welcome events, training sessions and a special welcome dinner hosted by the Kenya Tourism Board, setting a congenial tone ahead of kick-off.
Organisers confirmed that all logistical, security and operational arrangements are complete ahead of the opening whistle.
Stadium infrastructure, team accommodations, medical and broadcast arrangements are ready, and match officials have cleared the pitch and facilities for competition.
Local authorities have also put in place robust traffic and crowd management plans to ensure a seamless experience for fans on both days.
Several teams — including the home sides — were already deep into training weeks in advance.
Kenya’s men’s team, Shujaa, conducted a high-performance training camp in South Africa in January as part of final preparations for the series, focusing on fitness, cohesion and set-piece execution.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Lionesses have maintained a sustained build-up since late last year, blending experience and youth in their training block.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) and national leaders have spoken enthusiastically about the event’s significance.
Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya underscored the historic nature of the occasion, calling it “a strong endorsement of Kenya’s organisational capacity and a chance to showcase our teams on home soil.”
He reiterated confidence that the home sides would make the country proud.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja welcomed the world to the “City in the Sun,” emphasising that hosting such a global event reflects Kenya’s growing reputation as a premier sports destination.
“To all our visitors — karibu Kenya, karibu Nairobi,” he said, urging fans to fill Nyayo National Stadium and support the teams.
KRU officials also hailed the completion of preparations, pointing to strong collaboration between stakeholders, sponsorship partners, and city authorities — a necessary foundation for a major international event.
Kenya Shujaa, the men’s side, open their campaign against Canada 7s on Saturday morning in a match expected to set the tone for the rest of the competition.
With co-captains Samuel Asati and George ‘Japolo’ Ooro leading a squad that blends seasoned performers with new talent, Shujaa will be looking to start strongly in front of their home crowd.
The Kenya Lionesses begin their action against Brazil 7s, kicking off alongside other women’s pool games. The Lionesses are determined to put in strong performances that reflect their growing stature on the international stage and to harness the energy of a passionate home fan base.
The two-day event follows a round-robin format across the men’s and women’s pools, with each team playing multiple matches that contribute toward their overall ranking in the HSBC SVNS 2 Series.
All performances in Nairobi will count toward overall points for the broader Division 2 season, which will move next to Montevideo, Uruguay and then São Paulo, Brazil later this year.