SportPesa Invests KES 34.14 Million in Kenyan Rugby for 2026 National Sevens Circuit
SportPesa has officially more than doubled its investment in the Kenyan National Sevens Circuit (NSC) to KES 34.14 million as the title sponsor for the 2026 season, continuing its sponsorship for four consecutive years.
Launched on Wednesday, June 17, at the RFUEA Grounds, the 2026 circuit, branded as the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit for the fourth consecutive year, marks a significant increase from last year’s commitment of KES 15 million, reaffirming the firm’s dedication to nurturing local rugby talent and expanding the sport nationwide.
The KES 34.14 million package is strategically allocated to enhance both the technical aspects of the game and the fan experience. A total of KES 16.14 million is dedicated to competitive infrastructure, supporting host clubs, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) operations, and prize money. Each of the six host clubs will receive KES 1 million, representing a significant increase from the KES 3 million collective allocation last season.
Additionally, KES 6 million is allocated to the KRU Secretariat for tournament organization and administrative expenses, doubling the amount from the previous year. The prize pool has nearly doubled to KES 4.14 million, providing greater rewards for participating teams. On the fan engagement front, KES 18 million is designated for content production, livestreaming, and matchday activities, split equally between broadcast enhancement and fan activities, with an extra KES 2 million set aside for circuit fan merchandise.
The enhanced prize money structure offers significant rewards for top performers. The overall Men’s Circuit winners will receive KES 300,000, while the Women’s winners will pocket KES 200,000. Individual leg winners in Division One Men will take home KES 150,000.
The action-packed Sevens Caravan will take place across five towns from July to September, beginning with the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru on July 25–26, where the Strathmore Leos return as defending champions. This will be followed by the Dala 7s in Kisumu on August 1–2, where defending champions KCB will aim to maintain their dominance. The series continues with the Kabeberi 7s in Nairobi on August 15–16, then moves to the Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa on August 22–23. The circuit then heads to Embu for the Embu 7s on September 5–6, with the Strathmore Leos seeking to retain their title. Finally, the caravan concludes with the Christie Sevens in Nairobi on September 12–13, celebrating its 60th edition as the iconic finale of the series.
This record-breaking investment sets the stage for a historic season, ensuring that the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit remains the premier platform for discovering the next generation of Kenyan rugby legends.
Speaking during the launch, Willis Ojwang ,SportPesa Public Relations and Advertising Manager, said: “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.”
