- World Rugby confirmed Nairobi as the opening leg host for the 2027 HSBC SVNS 2 tournament, scheduled for January 23–24, 2027 at Talanta Stadium
- The event will be the first international tournament at the 60,000-seater venue, also known as Raila Odinga International Stadium
- Kenya's Shujaa and Lionesses will enjoy home advantage as they compete in the global sevens series with an eye on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Nairobi is set to make rugby sevens history after World Rugby officially confirmed that Talanta Stadium will host the opening leg of the 2027 HSBC SVNS 2 tournament on January 23 and 24, 2027.
Source: Facebook
The announcement marks a major milestone for the venue, which is also known as Raila Odinga International Stadium.
Is Talanta ready to host events?
The 60,000-seater arena will be staging its first-ever international tournament, putting Nairobi firmly on the global rugby map.
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Kenya's men's national sevens team, Shujaa, and their women's counterparts, the Lionesses, will both benefit from playing in front of a home crowd.
The opportunity is significant for both sides as they look to build momentum in the international sevens circuit with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics firmly in their sights.
After the Nairobi curtain-raiser, the tournament will shift to Montevideo, Uruguay, on February 20 and 21, before wrapping up in São Paulo, Brazil, on February 27 and 28, 2027.
The stadium was 94% complete as of October 2026, with final installations including seats, floodlights and broadcast systems underway.
The government has set December 31, 2026, as the completion deadline ahead of the January 23–24, 2027, rugby tournament.
The facility features three auxiliary training pitches, including one designed for rugby, while supporting infrastructure includes a power substation and a planned railway station.
See the announcement below:
Kenyans react
The confirmation quickly generated buzz online, with Kenyans expressing excitement about the prospect of watching world-class sevens rugby in their own backyard.
@Itz Odiwuor:
"Hii nayo inakulanga daily hawa hua hawatuangushi 🏉"
@Bravin Vinmalu:
"Sisi tunataka derby ya Ingwe na Cor mawe ndio ifungue"
@Felix Kiplimoh:
"Hawa wanajua kuwin football akuna team hapoo"
@YU Geen:
"Tiketi shingapi"
@Eugene Gulema:
"Wacha sasa nitafute Baddies😂🔥"
@Josey Great Ouma:
"Baaas let me mark my calendar"
@Caren Milkah:
"Nice to hear that 👏. We can write good history with it"
@Penny Nganga:
"Bravo! A must-go event, welcome to the fabulous Ngong road zone people"
The HSBC SVNS 2 forms part of the broader international rugby sevens pathway, giving teams outside the top-tier series a competitive platform at the highest level.
For Kenya, hosting the first leg of that competition at a brand new world-class facility is both a statement of intent and a genuine home advantage heading into an Olympic qualification cycle.
Will Kenya host the 2029 World Athletics Championships?
TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about Nairobi’s selection to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time the competition will be held in Africa.
Kenya has produced generations of elite runners, but the championships have never been staged on the continent. In 2029, Nairobi will welcome the world’s leading track and field athletes.
Source: TUKO.co.ke