Rugby fans lament over high ticket prices during National 7s Circuit
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Reading Time: 5min | Fri. 08.08.25. | 17:52
Today, the sport is largely driven by university students and job seekers, many of whom come from modest backgrounds
The 2025 National 7s Circuit is slowly gathering steam thanks to the thrilling performances witnessed in the two legs played so far.
However, another conversation is brewing, this time off the pitch.
Rugby fans across the country have been taking to social media to express their discontent over rising ticket prices, calling them unrealistic and out of touch with the times.
The outrage began during the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa, where regular tickets were priced at Kshs 800, with VIP passes going for Kshs 3,000.
A flash sale offered a short-lived Kshs 500 reprieve.
Prinsloo 7s in Nakuru followed with Kshs 700 for regular entry, and the upcoming Christie 7s is selling tickets at Kshs 650, with early bird offers already sold out.
For many, the prices simply do not add up.
“Rugby tickets should always be favorable to university students. They are the ones who have kept Kenyan rugby alive,” Sapien, a rugby fan, posted.
The criticism comes at a time when Kenyans are grappling with tough economic conditions.
From rising costs of living to increased transport and food prices, leisure spending like attending sports events is becoming more of a luxury than a habit.
“A two-day tournament budget is now over Kshs11,000. Why not just livestream it and enjoy from home?” Sin Bin Rugby pointed out.
And that is another challenge: livestreams. While they have expanded rugby’s digital audience, they may also be discouraging fans from attending matches in person, especially when the in-ground experience is neither affordable nor comfortable.
“You pay Kshs 800 and stand all day in the sun, while at football matches like CHAN, you pay Kshs 200 and sit on proper seats at Kasarani. The food is overpriced, the amenities are few, it does not make sense,” lamented fan Omondi Jagero.
Rugby has long been seen as a “rich man’s sport”, a perception rooted in its colonial-era ties to elite schools and its amateur roots that favored the wealthy, who could afford to play without pay.
But that image no longer reflects the current reality in Kenya.
Today, the sport is largely driven by university students and job seekers, many of whom come from modest backgrounds.
The same applies to a large section of the fanbase: energetic, loyal, but financially limited.
Ironically, the very people powering the game, both on the pitch and in the stands, are the ones struggling most with rising ticket prices.
The players are no longer rich, and neither are the fans, yet the sport continues to market itself as if it is. Maybe it is time that changed.
“Some of the reasons why Kenya rugby will not grow are these high prices. Charge Kshs 300, fill the stadium, and let the hype market the game,” Shisoka posted.
Still, there is another side to the story. Organisers and club officials point out that the National 7s Circuit is not just a tournament but a lifeline for the clubs.
Many clubs rely on gate collections from each leg to fund their operations, not just for the 7s season, but also for the 15s circuit.
“The clubs need this revenue to stay afloat. That is why ticket prices are structured this way,” explained Kevin Jomo.
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But critics argue that while that is understandable, it does not excuse an uninspiring matchday experience.
“Sitting from morning till evening for two days watching rugby is only for die-hard fans, offering more, i.e safe and secure kiddie corner with fun activities for the kids where I can drop my kids and catch up on a few games or even just show up for that alone and catch up with fellow parents. Make it a proper food festival, food and rugby culture have always been intertwined, and we can offer more than the same overpriced vendors we always get. Entertainment also can be improved on, e.t.c.
The game has not developed to a point where every match is a blockbuster, give people options, keep them busy, keep them entertained, it’s not that difficult. Not everything should revolve around the field of play. We don’t have a rugby problem but a branding problem,” former Kenya 7s star Dennis Ombachi posted.
The timing of the National 7s Circuit is also clashing with the East Africa-hosted 2024 CHAN campaign, where tickets to watch Harambee Stars at Kasarani are going for just Kshs 200.
Fans get shade, seats, security, and a fraction of the cost.
In comparison, many rugby fans are left standing from morning to evening, with minimal shelter, poor facilities, and pricey refreshments.
“This is not just about the ticket price, it is about value for money. Entry should be capped at Kshs 400 if there is nothing extra offered,” another fan, Nyanyuki, posted.
The conversation is not about tearing rugby down, but about building it up in a way that reflects the reality on the ground.
In the age of livestreams and alternative entertainment, fans need more than just a game to turn up. They need an experience.
With a struggling economy, competing sports events, and a youthful fanbase that is deeply invested but financially strained, perhaps it is time for rugby organisers to reconsider their approach.
Lowering prices might seem like a financial risk, but it could also be the gateway to packed stands, louder cheers, and a stronger future for Kenyan rugby.
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