Time and where to watch Kenya Sevens men, women Promotion/Relegation Playoffs

The Kenya Sevens men's and women’s teams, Shujaa and the Lionesses, are set for a do-or-die battle at the HSBC SVNS Series Promotion/Relegation Playoffs in Los Angeles, USA.

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The critical fixtures will be hosted at the Dignity Health Sports Park from Saturday, 3 to Sunday, 4 May, with all games scheduled on Pitch Two.

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After a rollercoaster season that saw Shujaa finish ninth, missing out on direct qualification behind Great Britain, the men have been placed in Pool A alongside hosts USA, Portugal, and Samoa.

This marks Kenya’s third appearance in the Promotion/Relegation Playoffs since the format was introduced in 2023, underlining the increasingly competitive nature of securing top-tier status.

The games will be available on pay TV Supersport and Rugby Pass TV.

Shujaa will begin their campaign against Samoa on Saturday, 3 May, at 9:28 PM, followed by a clash with Portugal in the early hours of Sunday, 4 May, at 12:51 AM, before wrapping up the pool stage against hosts USA at 9:28 PM the same day.

The Lionesses, on the other hand, have landed in a familiar Pool A with Brazil, Spain, and Colombia. Every matchup is steeped in history and rivalry, especially the encounter against Brazil, who ended Kenya’s Olympic dreams in 2019 with a painful 17-5 defeat.

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Dennis Mwanja's charges will kick off their fixtures against Spain on Saturday, 3 May, at 10:12 PM, then face Brazil on Sunday, 4 May, at 1:35 AM, and conclude with a showdown against Colombia on Sunday, 4 May, at 8:44 PM.

The Lionesses will also be seeking redemption against Spain, a side that has long had the upper hand, while aiming to maintain their edge over Colombia, whom they beat 12-5 during the 2023 Challenger Series in Krakow.

While World Rugby has yet to release the final tournament format, last season's edition featured round-robin pool matches followed by cross-pool playoffs to determine promotion.

This year, a top-four finish is more crucial than ever, with reports suggesting World Rugby plans to shrink the number of core teams from 12 to just eight next season due to post-COVID financial constraints.

Kenya’s Fixtures

Lionesses (Women’s Team) – All on Pitch Two

Spain vs Kenya – Saturday 3 May, 10:12 PM

Brazil vs Kenya – Sunday 4 May, 1:35 AM

Kenya vs Colombia – Sunday 4 May 8:44 PM

Shujaa (Men’s Team) – All on Pitch Two

Kenya vs Samoa – Saturday 3 May, 9:28 PM

Kenya vs Portugal – Sunday 4 May, 12:51 AM

Kenya vs USA – Sunday 4 May, 9:28 PM