Nairobi has been selected to host the opening leg of the World SVNS Series Division Two, scheduled for 14–15 February, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has confirmed.
KRU Chief Executive Officer Thomas Odundo announced the development on Wednesday, expressing pride in Kenya’s inclusion among the global hosts.
“We are delighted to have been selected to host the first leg of the HSBC 7s 2 taking place from 14–15 February in Nairobi. It is a great honour to be selected. I would like to welcome everyone from near and far for the event,” Odundo told KRU Media.
The announcement comes on the back of a record-breaking Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where World Rugby unveiled an enhanced HSBC SVNS competition model aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability and expanding the global footprint of rugby sevens ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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Developed through broad stakeholder consultation and analysis of global sporting trends, the revamped structure introduces a devolved, three-division hosting system, expanding the series from 10 to 13 events beginning in 2026.
Under the new model, HSBC SVNS Division 1 will feature eight men’s and eight women’s teams competing across six tournaments, each played over two days. This streamlined format is designed to reduce operational costs, enhance competitiveness, strengthen fan engagement and increase broadcast value.
The structure also preserves a clear pathway from regional qualification to the SVNS World Championship Series, allowing emerging rugby nations the opportunity to rise to the highest level within a single season.
Key Features of the New HSBC SVNS Model
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Three-division regular season:
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Division 1: Eight men’s and eight women’s teams in six high-impact events
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Division 2: Six teams per gender competing across three events
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Division 3: A standalone Challenger event featuring eight teams per gender, qualifying from regional competitions
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Season finale:
Three blockbuster SVNS World Championship Series events featuring the top 12 men’s and women’s teams (eight from Division 1 and four from Division 2). -
Integrated tournaments:
Equal participation fees and representation for men’s and women’s teams. -
Structured progression pathway:
Teams can advance from regional qualifiers to the global championship within a single season.
The eight teams that will compete in the HSBC SVNS World Championship 2025 in Los Angeles from 3–4 May will form the HSBC SVNS Division 1 teams for the 2026 Series.
Teams finishing 9th–12th in the LA Playoff Tournament will qualify for SVNS Division 2 for the 2025/26 season, while those ranked 13th–16th will begin their 2025/26 journey through their respective regional qualifying competitions.
