Kenya will host 11 nations for the 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Championship on November 7 and 8, with teams set to battle for the continental title and a place in the HSBC SVNS 3 competition.
The tournament will be staged at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, bringing together national teams from across Africa, including South Africa, Uganda and Madagascar.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya announced the event on Wednesday, November 4, saying Kenya was preparing to welcome the participating teams for the two-day competition.
The championship is expected to provide a platform for African women’s rugby teams to compete for continental honours while pursuing an opportunity to advance to the next level of international sevens rugby.
The tournament will bring together 11 national teams, representing different parts of the continent. South Africa, Uganda and Madagascar are among the confirmed participants, with the remaining teams expected to complete the competition’s continental line-up.
The two-day format will see the sides compete in the fast-paced sevens version of rugby, which features seven players per team on the field and shorter matches than the traditional 15-a-side game. The format places a premium on speed, fitness, tactical discipline and quick scoring, making it particularly demanding for teams competing in a short tournament.
Beyond the African title, the competition carries significance for teams seeking to progress into the international rugby sevens circuit. The HSBC SVNS 3 pathway offers emerging national teams an opportunity to compete at a higher level and gain exposure to international competition.
For Kenya, hosting the championship also provides an opportunity to showcase its capacity to stage major rugby events while giving local supporters access to top-level women’s rugby. The tournament comes as women’s rugby continues to expand across Africa, with national federations working to develop competitive teams and create more opportunities for female players.
The RFUEA Grounds, located along Ngong Road in Nairobi, will provide the venue for the championship. Kenya has previously hosted regional and international rugby competitions at the facility, which is also a familiar home ground for the country’s national rugby teams.
Mvurya said the government was supporting efforts to stage the competition, highlighting the importance of international sporting events in developing local talent and strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional sports destination.
With the tournament scheduled for November 7 and 8, attention will turn to the participating teams as they prepare for two days of competition in Nairobi.
The championship will offer Kenyan fans an opportunity to watch some of Africa’s leading women’s sevens sides while following the contest for the continental crown and the HSBC SVNS 3 opportunity.