- Kenya put in a bid to host one of the three legs of the HSBC SVNS Division 2 outings.
- World Rugby officials already flew into the country to assess infrastructure for the event.
- The Division 2 leg will be held in February 2026.
The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) will find out on Wednesday, 26 November whether they will be confirmed as hosts for one of the three legs of the newly introduced HSBC SVNS Division 2 outings.
Back in September, SportPesa Blog broke the news of Kenya’s bid to host the Division 2 of the prestigious World Rugby Sevens Series.
Another follow-up by SportPesa Blog revealed that officials from World Rugby flew into the country to make the final assessment with Kenya on the brink of being confirmed as hosts ahead of the official communication.
ALSO READ: Kenya on the brink of landing HSBC Sevens Division 2 leg as World Rugby make final inspection
World Rugby competitions director Nigel Cass conducted inspection visits to some of the facilities that are expected to help in staging the tournament that will take place in February 2026.
In a communique, the rugby governing body revealed the hosting venues for HSBC SVNS Division 2 and Division 3 will be confirmed on Wednesday in Dubai where the launch of the HSBC SVNS 2026 season will be held.
“HSBC SVNS enters a dynamic new era with a newly structured, three-tier global pathway that delivers a clear development pathway for teams worldwide.
With all dates, destinations, and participating nations confirmed, the 2026 series will feature thirteen events across twelve countries and all six World Rugby regions, showcasing elite talent and delivering an exciting new fan experience on every stop.
The launch will confirm the SVNS 2 and SVNS 3 fixtures, outline expectations for the season ahead, and explore what the new format means for players and the global game,” World Rugby confirmed.
ALSO READ: Kenya Rugby Union tables bid to host prestigious World Rugby Sevens Series leg
Kenya’s bid for HSBC SVNS Division 2 leg positive
After watching the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens tournament that was successfully hosted at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, Cass admitted that Kenya has what it takes to host a SVNS Division 2 leg. He also praised the incredible atmosphere that Kenyans create on the series.
“Kenya definitely has what it takes, we just have to wait for a couple of weeks to see the confirmation of where the SVNS 2 will be held,” Cass told SportPesa Blog.
Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah, who is also a member of the World Rugby Executive Board, revealed Kenya would be awarded as hosts if the infrastructure passes the test.
“It is positive (Kenya’s bid) and when he (Cass) goes to inspect the facilities, if they are good enough then it will be announced. So let us hope they are good enough,” he told SportPesa Blog.
Kenya has already staged successful World Rugby events including two editions of the U20 World Trophy staged in 2009 and 2023.
Both the men’s and women’s national rugby 7s sides, Shujaa and Lionesses respectively, will play in Division 2 in 2026 season.
Division 2 will have six men and six women teams competing for the top four places that will grant them a ticket to the HSBC SVNS World Championship against the top 8 teams.
2026 season structure
- HSBC SVNS Series: Dubai (29-30 November, 2025), Cape Town (6-7 December, 2025), Singapore (31 January-1 February, 2026), Australia (7-8 February, 2026), Vancouver (7-8 March, 2026), USA (14-15 March, 2026).
- HSBC SVNS World Championship: Hong Kong (17-19 April, 2026), Valladolid (29-31 May, 2026), Bordeaux (5-7 June, 2026).
- HSBC SVNS 2: 3 legs from February-March 2026
- HSBC SVNS 3: 1 leg in January 2026
Key features of the new HSBC SVNS model
- Three-division regular season:
- Division 1 – Eight men’s and eight women’s teams compete in six high-impact SVNS Series events
- Division 2 – Six teams per gender compete in a second division across three events
- Division 3 – A standalone Challenger event with eight teams per gender, qualifying from regional competitions
- Season finale to determine world champion: Three blockbuster SVNS World Championship Series events with the top 12 men’s and women’s teams (eight from Division 1, four from Division 2)
- Integrated tournaments with equal participation fees and representation for men’s and women’s teams.
- Defined progression pathway: Teams can advance from regional qualifiers to global championship contention in a single season.
- Expanded calendar: 13 tournaments across the HSBC SVNS 2026 season, delivering more opportunity and exposure.
The participating teams in HSBC SVNS 2026 Series top level are:
- Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
- Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
Confirmed men’s teams for Division 2 in 2026
Division 2 – Kenya, USA, Uruguay, Germany
Confirmed women’s teams for Division 2 in 2026
Division 2 – Kenya, Brazil, China, Spain