By Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com
Nairobi will trade roses for rugby this Valentine’s weekend as the HSBC SVNS Division 2 opens its global season at Nyayo National Stadium on February 14–15, 2026, blending elite sevens action with a festival atmosphere under the theme #LoveAtFirstTry.
The two-day event marks a historic first for Kenya, hosting the opening leg of World Rugby’s second-tier sevens series. Fans will watch top international teams compete while enjoying live music, cultural showcases, food villages and sundowners -positioning the tournament as both a sporting spectacle and a social destination.
Kenya fields both national sides on home turf: Kenya Shujaa in the men’s draw alongside the USA, Uruguay and Germany; and the Kenya Lionesses facing Brazil, China and Spain in the women’s competition. The Nairobi leg is expected to be pivotal early in the series as teams chase promotion momentum.
The tournament carries special significance for the Daystar community. Daystar Falcons standouts Patrick Odongo and Clinton Amukwachi are currently in South Africa with the national setup preparing for the home leg. Odongo, a second-year student, has been one of Shujaa’s most exciting performers – making Nyayo a true homecoming.
Tickets
Tickets are available via TikoHub and M-Pesa, with student-friendly group options designed to pack the stands:
- Regular (Advance): KSh 500, Gate: KSh 750
- VIP (Advance): KSh 2,500, Gate: KSh 3,000
- Mbogi Offer: Group of 7 for KSh 2,100 (about KSh 300 per person)
Early-bird tickets from KSh 300 have largely sold out, but the mbogi bundles keep the weekend affordable for squads.
Off the pitch, the festival feel gets a boost from a KSh 40 million injection by Tusker (Kenya Breweries Limited), promising a bigger music and cultural village. Performances by Jua Cali headline an entertainment lineup tailored for the university crowd.
Rather than standing alone, the SVNS weekend fits neatly into Nairobi’s growing sports calendar. For students and runners, the Valentine’s rugby festival could serve as a high-energy warm-up ahead of the Laban Ayiro Run, scheduled for March 7, 2026 – extending the city’s momentum from contact sport to endurance challenge.
For story pitches, commissioned writing, or collaborations, connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aura-joe-digitalproducer/recent-activity/articles/