Boost for 2025 Safari 7s as beer makers inject millions of shillings
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 03.10.25. | 17:22
The Safari Sevens returns to Nyayo Stadium following recent renovations
Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its flagship brand Tusker, has unveiled a Kshs 22 million sponsorship package for the 2025 Safari Sevens slated for Thursday, 9 to Friday, 10 October at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Under the deal, Tusker will contribute Kshs 12 million in cash, with an additional Kshs 10 million in kind to cover logistics, promotions, and brand activation during the four-day showpiece.
Speaking during the launch held on Friday, 3 October at the RFUEA Grounds, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Vice Chairman Moses Ndale welcomed the partnership, describing it as a major boost for the tournament.
“Tusker has always stood with Kenyan rugby, and their continued investment in the Safari Sevens is a testament to their belief in the game and its potential.
This support will not only elevate the tournament to world-class standards, but also inspire the next generation of players who view this stage as a pathway to greatness,” Ndale said.
The Safari Sevens returns to Nyayo Stadium following recent renovations, with age-grade, veterans, and elite categories set to feature in the three-day extravaganza.
As part of the build-up, KRU has confirmed that an Under-16 age-grade competition will serve as the curtain-raiser.
The two-day event, set for Thursday, 9, to Friday, 10, October, will bring together eight regional teams: Nairobi, Eastern, Coast, International Schools, Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Central.
The U16 tournament will also double as national trials, with standout players earning places in a provisional Kenya U16 squad that will represent the country at the Africa Youth Olympic Games in Angola this December.
On the women’s side, the 2025 Safari Sevens is expected to host Belgium, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tunisia, Sogun Rugby, two Kenya Lionesses sides, and defending champions Costa Blanca Barbarians.
The men’s draw will feature a strong line-up, including Apache 7s (UK), Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, French Renegades, Shogun Rugby, Reunion Rugby, KCB Rugby, and Kenya’s Shujaa and Morans.
This year’s edition also marks a symbolic return to Nyayo National Stadium for the first time since 2021, when Shujaa defeated Germany to lift the title.
The tournament was staged at the RFUEA Grounds in 2023 before shifting to Machakos Stadium in 2024.
Nyayo will now host the event for the fourth time, having previously staged it in 2011, 2012, and 2021, after surging crowds outgrew the RFUEA Grounds.
With a capacity of 35,000, the stadium is expected to provide a fitting stage for one of Africa’s premier rugby festivals.
Kenya Shujaa and Costa Blanca Ladies will arrive as defending champions, having claimed the men’s and women’s crowns respectively at last year’s tournament in Machakos.
