Kenya will once again welcome the international rugby sevens circuit in 2027, with the newly constructed Raila Odinga Stadium at Talanta Sports City set to host the opening leg of HSBC SVNS 2 as the global competition continues its journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

World Rugby has confirmed Nairobi, Montevideo and São Paulo as the three host cities for the 2027 SVNS 2 series, with the Kenyan capital getting the opening round on January 23 and 24, 2027. The announcement marks another important milestone for Kenyan rugby, with the tournament moving to the new Talanta facility after the inaugural SVNS 2 Nairobi leg was staged at Nyayo National Stadium in February 2026.

The change of venue will give Kenya an opportunity to showcase one of its newest major sporting facilities to the international rugby community. Talanta Stadium, constructed as part of the wider Talanta Sports City development, is expected to provide a fresh setting for the tournament as Kenya strengthens its ambitions to host major international sporting events.

For local rugby fans, the return of HSBC SVNS 2 also presents another opportunity to watch the country’s national sevens teams compete against international opposition on home soil. Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses will be looking to make the most of familiar conditions as they pursue progress through a competition structure that rewards consistency across multiple legs.

The 2026 Nairobi tournament demonstrated the appetite for international rugby sevens in Kenya, with Nyayo National Stadium attracting a large crowd for two days of action. Supporters brought colour and energy to the occasion, cheering the home teams while appreciating quality performances from visiting sides.

On the field, Shujaa finished third in Nairobi before repeating that position at the Montevideo leg and Second place finish in Sao Paulo in Brazil last season , while the Lionesses endured a more challenging campaign.

The 2027 series will begin in Nairobi before moving to Uruguay and Brazil. Montevideo will host the second leg on February 20 and 21 at Estadio Charrúa, with the final event scheduled for February 27 and 28 at Nicolau Alayon Stadium in São Paulo.

World Rugby’s decision to retain all three cities reflects the importance of the markets following their participation in the inaugural SVNS 2 season. The format also gives teams multiple opportunities to collect points and improve their position in the overall standings rather than relying on a single tournament.

World Rugby Sevens World Series General Manager Sam Pinder said the three cities had demonstrated the value of the competition in connecting teams with passionate rugby audiences and providing a pathway towards the sport’s top level.

Pinder noted that the approaching Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games added further importance to the international sevens calendar, with World Rugby looking forward to working with host unions and partners to build on the previous season.

The revamped HSBC SVNS model features three divisions, linking regional qualification to SVNS 3, SVNS 2 and the SVNS World Championship. The structure is designed to provide a clearer route for men’s and women’s teams to progress towards the leading nations in international rugby sevens.

For teams competing in SVNS 2, the challenge is to perform consistently across the series and secure progression to the next stage of the competition. Each leg offers an opportunity to improve standings, making the opening tournament particularly important for sides hoping to build momentum early in the season.

The wider significance of the 2027 campaign extends beyond the competition itself. With Olympic qualification increasingly prominent on the international calendar, performances across the global sevens pathway will carry added weight for teams seeking to establish themselves among the world’s leading sides.

The return of HSBC SVNS 2 also provides Shujaa and the Lionesses with a fresh opportunity to measure themselves against international competition in front of home supporters. Their performances will be closely watched as Kenya seeks to turn its strong rugby following into progress on the field.

With Nairobi, Montevideo and São Paulo confirmed, the road to the 2027 SVNS World Championship will begin in Kenya. The focus now shifts to preparations for the January tournament, where the new Talanta stadium will welcome international sevens rugby and set the tone for another important season on the road to LA28.