Kenyan rugby has received a significant boost after leading gaming firm SportPesa announced a record KES 34.14 million sponsorship package for the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit, reinforcing its commitment to developing grassroots talent and strengthening the country’s rugby ecosystem.
The sponsorship, the largest in the history of the National Sevens Circuit, more than doubles the KES 16.5 million invested in the competition last season and marks the fourth consecutive year that SportPesa has served as title sponsor of the prestigious tournament.
The enhanced funding comes at a time when the National Sevens Circuit has increasingly become the primary pathway for identifying and nurturing players who progress to represent Kenya at the international level through Shujaa, the Kenya Lionesses and the national 15s teams.
Announcing the sponsorship, SportPesa Public Relations and Advertising Manager Willis Ojwang said the company remains committed to supporting platforms that nurture sporting talent while bringing fans closer to the game.
“The National Sevens Circuit is the heartbeat of Kenyan rugby and the foundation upon which future national stars are built. We have watched this competition produce players who went on to become Africa 7s champions, represent Kenya at the Olympic Games and elevate our standing on the global stage. That is the proof of concept and we welcome other like-minded partners to join us in supporting this platform,” said Ojwang.
Under the sponsorship package, KES 16.14 million will directly support the competition’s operational framework, including host clubs, tournament organization and prize money. The remaining funds will be invested in fan engagement initiatives, broadcast production and content creation aimed at increasing the circuit’s visibility and accessibility.
Each of the six host clubs will receive KES 1 million to support tournament organization, while KES 6 million has been allocated to the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Secretariat to facilitate administration and management of the competition. SportPesa will further invest KES 9 million in content production and live streaming, KES 2 million in official fan merchandise and KES 9 million in fan engagement and experiential activities.
The sponsorship package also includes enhanced prize money across the men’s and women’s competitions. Winners in the men’s Division One category will take home KES 150,000 per leg, while women’s Division One champions will receive KES 100,000. Overall circuit champions will earn KES 300,000 in the men’s category and KES 200,000 in the women’s competition.
Kenya Rugby Union Chairperson Harriet Okatch welcomed the increased investment, describing the partnership as instrumental in sustaining club rugby and building a reliable talent pipeline for the national teams.
“Year after year, our partnership with SportPesa has given clubs the resources to organize this circuit, given players a stage to perform, and given our national selectors a bottomless talent pool to draw from. The increased investment this season gives us even greater confidence as we continue building sustainable pathways for both Shujaa and the Lionesses,” she said.
The six-leg circuit will begin with the iconic Prinsloo 7s in Nakuru on July 25-26 before heading to Dala 7s in Kisumu on August 1-2. The action will then move to Kabeberi 7s on August 15-16, Driftwood 7s on August 22-23, Embu 7s on September 5-6 and conclude with Christie 7s on September 12-13.
Defending champions KCB Rugby will enter the new season seeking a sixth overall National Sevens Circuit title following a dominant 2025 campaign in which they amassed a record 126 points and claimed victory in four of the six tournaments. However, the bankers are expected to face stiff competition from rivals Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar, Menengai Oilers and Kenya Harlequin, all of whom have strengthened their squads ahead of the new season.
Beyond the competition itself, stakeholders view the National Sevens Circuit as a critical component of Kenya’s rugby development strategy. The tournament provides young players with an opportunity to compete at a high level while offering national team selectors a platform to identify emerging talent capable of representing the country on the continental and global stage.
With increased financial backing, expanded broadcast coverage and enhanced fan experiences, the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit is poised to deliver one of the most competitive and commercially successful rugby seasons in the country’s history.
