KRU Tables Ambitious Bid to Host World Rugby 7s Leg at Nyayo Stadium Following CHAN 2024

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has officially submitted a bid to host a leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

As reported by SportPesa Blog, a successful bid  would mark the first time Kenya hosts a leg of the global rugby sevens circuit.

The proposal focuses on hosting one of the three Division 2 events in 2026, following World Rugby’s introduction of a new three-tier model set to take effect after the 2025 season. 

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Sources confirmed that Nyayo Stadium—recently renovated and already a proven venue after hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024—is the preferred venue.

Kenya’s men’s team, Shujaa, secured a Division 2 slot after defeating Canada 24-5 in the playoffs despite missing out on core status in May 2025. The Kenya Lionesses also earned a place in Division 2 after a 17-14 win over South Africa.

World Rugby on Monday unveiled the structure of the 2026 HSBC SVNS Series, locking in a three-year calendar. 

Division 1 will feature eight men’s and eight women’s teams across six global rounds, culminating in a three-leg World Championship in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux. Division 2 and Division 3 host venues are yet to be confirmed.

In February, former chairman Alexander 'Sasha' Mutai  intimated the union’s target of lobbying to host a leg of the prestigious HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in the years to come.

“We also want to host the HSBC sevens. We talked to the head of the sevens program in World Rugby last year when we were in Spain with former sports minister Ababu Namwamba, so we started talks about that,” he told Citizen TV at the time.

• Dubai: 29–30 Nov 2025
  
  

• Cape Town: 6–7 Dec 2025
  
  

• Singapore: 31 Jan–1 Feb 2026
  
  

• Australia: 7–8 Feb 2026
  
  

• Vancouver: 7–8 Mar 2026
  
  

• USA: 14–15 Mar 2026
  World Championship Finals: Hong Kong (17–19 Apr 2026), Valladolid (29–31 May 2026), Bordeaux (5–7 Jun 2026)

• Division 1 Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
  
  

• Division 1 Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
  
  Division 2 Men: USA, Uruguay, Kenya, Germany

• Division 1 Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
  
  

• Division 1 Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
  
  

• Division 2 Men: USA, Uruguay, Kenya, Germany

The new format promises integrated men’s and women’s tournaments, equal participation fees, and a clear pathway from regional qualifiers to the world stage—boosting visibility ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics.