Talanta Sports Stadium will stage its first international sporting event when Nairobi hosts the opening leg of the 2027 HSBC SVNS 2 series on January 23–24, with Kenya’s Shujaa set to compete on home soil as they pursue promotion to the top tier of international rugby sevens.
World Rugby confirmed the schedule on Tuesday, October 13, placing the Nairobi leg among three tournaments that will shape the 2026/27 SVNS 2 campaign. The series will move to Montevideo, Uruguay, on February 20–21 before concluding in São Paulo, Brazil, on February 27–28.
The Nairobi tournament will also provide an international test for Talanta Sports Stadium ahead of its planned role in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
World Rugby Sevens World Series General Manager Sam Pinder said Nairobi, Montevideo and São Paulo would return as hosts after staging the inaugural SVNS 2 events in 2026.
He noted that the competition provides teams with a pathway to the HSBC SVNS World Championship, with the race towards qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games increasing the importance of every stage.
“We are delighted to confirm the return of Nairobi, Montevideo and São Paulo for HSBC SVNS 2 in 2027. With qualification for LA28 coming into focus, every stage of the pathway takes on even greater significance. We look forward to working with our host unions and partners to build on the success of last season and deliver three outstanding events for the teams and fans,” he stated.
Kenya will be aiming to improve on its performance at the inaugural Nairobi SVNS 2 leg in February 2026, when Shujaa finished third with 12 points after losing 21–5 to the United States on the second day. Germany claimed the title, finishing one point ahead of Kenya, while George Ooro Angeyo was named Player of the Tournament.
Shujaa later missed out on promotion to Division One after finishing the World Championship campaign ninth with 16 points, one behind the United States, which moved ahead after beating Fiji. Kevin Wambua’s side will therefore remain in SVNS 2 for the 2026/27 season, where six teams will compete for promotion.
The Nairobi leg offers Kenya an early opportunity to build momentum in front of home supporters as the team targets a return to the top tier. The SVNS 2 series forms part of World Rugby’s global sevens pathway, leading towards the HSBC SVNS World Championship and the wider qualification journey to LA28.
2027 HSBC SVNS 2 schedule
January 23–24: Nairobi, Kenya – Talanta Sports Stadium
February 20–21: Montevideo, Uruguay – Estadio Charrúa
February 27–28: São Paulo, Brazil – Nicolau Alayon Stadium
