Kenya moves step closer to hosting World HSBC 7s Series leg
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 14.11.25. | 17:20
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya pledged the government’s full support should Kenya find favour at World Rugby
Kenya’s dream of hosting a leg of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series is drawing closer to reality after the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) confirmed the submission of a bid for the Division 2 competition.
The bid, which has received full government backing, through the Ministry of Sports and Rugby Africa, positions the country as a strong contender in the next phase of World Rugby’s global calendar.
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The development comes after World Rugby implemented a major restructuring of its sevens ecosystem.
From 2026, the top-tier competition will feature only eight core teams, down from 12, while the lower divisions will gain more prominence, as part of the pathway to the revamped HSBC SVNS World Championship.
Division 1 hosts have already been confirmed for the 2026 season, but announcements for Divisions 2 and 3 remain pending.
KRU Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thomas Odundo said Kenya moved swiftly when invitations were issued.
“World Rugby invited bids for either Division 1 or Division 2 of the World Rugby Series, and Kenya applied for Division 2. The government gave us a letter of support for the bid, and we are awaiting a response from World Rugby,” Odundo said.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya also pledged the government’s full support should Kenya find favour at World Rugby.
“We have approved the Kenya Rugby Union’s request to host a World Series leg, and hopefully, Talanta Stadium will be ready. It will be a 60,000-seater stadium that will be exclusively for football and rugby. We will be ready, and as government, we will be fully behind this event,” Mvurya said.
He emphasized that hosting the HSBC tournament would be a whole-of-government undertaking.
“This will involve several agencies, including the security apparatus. We will collaborate fully with KRU and Rugby Africa on the success of the same,” he offered.
His remarks came in response to Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah, who has been a vocal advocate for Kenya’s inclusion on the global hosting roster.
“We as Rugby Africa are determined to give Kenya the chance to host at least two or three competitions. Even better than that… last Saturday I was with a representative from World Rugby and there is a desire to have Kenya host a leg of the HSBC Series,” Mensah revealed.
Kenya’s case is strengthened by her unique rugby culture and proven track record of hosting high-caliber events.
For decades, the Safari Sevens has attracted elite national and invitational teams to Nairobi, consistently delivering world-class competition.
Equally influential is Kenya’s reputation for passionate fans. Whether in Vancouver, Dubai, or Cape Town, Kenyan supporters routinely fill stands, an advantage few nations can match.
This momentum comes at a time when both Shujaa and the Lionesses are fighting their way back to the top of the global game.
Shujaa narrowly missed out on regaining core status after finishing ninth in the 2025 season, but ensured survival in the system with a commanding 24-5 playoff win over Canada. The Lionesses also secured their place in Division 2 with a dramatic 17-14 victory over South Africa.
Should the bid be successful, the tournament will be staged at the under-construction Talanta Stadium, a 60,000-seater venue envisioned as a premier home for rugby and football.
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