Kenya’s national sevens rugby teams, Shujaa and Lioness, have been dealt a major setback following World Rugby’s surprise announcement of a new competition format that excludes both teams from top-tier participation in the 2026 season.
The two teams are currently in Los Angeles, where they were scheduled to compete in the promotion and relegation playoffs of the World Rugby Sevens Series, aiming to secure core status — a designation that guarantees participation in all events of the series. Until this season, the Sevens Series featured 12 core teams per gender.
However, a statement released this week by World Rugby has abruptly reduced the number to eight, fundamentally altering the path to top-tier competition.Under the new structure, the World Rugby Sevens Series, now rebranded as HSBC SVNS, will adopt a three-division format:Division 1 will feature eight core men’s and eight core women’s teams.
Division 2 will comprise six teams per gender, forming a competitive second tier. Division 3, or the Challenger Series, will include eight emerging teams per gender. The implications are immediate and severe for Kenya.
Shujaa, the men’s team, who placed ninth in the regular season, have now been automatically relegated under the new format. Kenya Lioness, the women’s team, who recently won the Challenger Series, will not be promoted to the core division even if they win their playoff matches.
Sports journalist Eric Odanga criticized the move, arguing that World Rugby has “reneged on their contract with participating nations.” Michael Kwambo, former Head of Communications at the Kenya Rugby Union, labeled the restructuring a significant barrier for emerging teams. “This restricts growth and opportunities for nations outside the traditional powerhouses of rugby,” he said.
The announcement also casts doubt on the future of programs like Kenya Lioness, who had recently attracted new sponsorship from energy firm KenGen in anticipation of a step up to core competition.
With just eight spots now available at the top level, the new model raises serious concerns about inclusivity, competitiveness, and the development of rugby in non-traditional markets.
Kenya’s hopes of a return to the global stage have been left in limbo, prompting urgent calls for a review of the new system.
