Twenty Teams Set for Juja 7s as Kenya Rugby Season Nears

Twenty teams have confirmed their participation in the 2026 Juja 7s rugby tournament, scheduled for July 11-12 at the JKUAT Grounds in Juja, Kiambu County. The competition will serve as the last major competitive warm-up for clubs building their form ahead of the 2026 National Sevens Circuit, which opens with the Prinsloo 7s in Nakuru on July 25.

Strategic Timing on a Loaded Calendar

The placement of the Juja 7s exactly two weeks before the Prinsloo 7s opener is no accident. The JKUAT Grounds in Juja have become the natural setting for this pre-season ritual. A field of 20 teams is among the largest the tournament has attracted.

SportPesa's Record Investment Sets the Tone

On June 17, 2026, Kenya Rugby Union announced a KSh 34.14 million sponsorship deal with SportPesa for the 2026 National Sevens Circuit — one of the largest single-season injections of private capital the domestic game has seen in recent memory.

What to Watch on July 11-12

With 20 teams confirmed across two days, the tournament structure will be intense — pool stages giving way to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final as competition builds through July 12. Teams are expected to field close to full-strength squads, given the tournament's proximity to the Prinsloo 7s opener.