By KPC Sports Reporter
Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its flagship brand Tusker, has committed Ksh 40 million towards the sponsorship of the HSBC SVNS 2 Nairobi.
This is a major boost to Kenya’s preparations to host a World Rugby Sevens event for the first time.
The tournament will be held on February 14–15, 2026 at Nyayo Stadium, positioning Kenya as only the second African nation after South Africa to host a World Rugby Sevens event.
Nairobi will also stage the opening leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 series, firmly placing the country on the global rugby map.
Tusker’s sponsorship package includes Ksh 20 million in cash to support Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) tournament delivery and operations, alongside Ksh 12 million dedicated to experiential fan engagement and an additional Ksh 8 million for publicity support—bringing the total commitment to Ksh 40 million.
Speaking during the official sponsorship announcement, Christine Kariuki, Head of Mainstream Beer at KBL, said the partnership reflects Tusker’s long-standing belief in the power of sport to unite Kenyans.
“Rugby has a unique way of bringing Kenyans together across generations, across communities, and across borders,” said Kariuki.
“Hosting the HSBC SVNS 2 in Nairobi is a celebration of that journey and how far the game has come. At Tusker, we believe in bringing people together so we can each stand tall, and this is one of those moments.”
She added that the brand’s focus goes beyond visibility to delivering a world-class experience for fans.
“From matchday operations to fan engagement, we want Kenyans to feel proud of what we can deliver when the world comes to our home,” Kariuki noted.
The HSBC SVNS 2 Nairobi will feature elite international competition in both the men’s and women’s divisions, with Kenya’s national teams—Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses—competing on home soil against top global opponents.
The event is part of World Rugby’s newly introduced three-tier global Sevens structure, designed to create clearer pathways to the highest level of international rugby while ensuring full gender parity at every event.
Kenya Rugby Union Chairlady Harriet Okatch welcomed Tusker’s support, emphasizing the role of corporate partnerships in staging a successful global event.
“Tusker has been a strong supporter of rugby for many years, and this is a partnership that has continued to flourish,” said Okatch.
“We are delighted to have Tusker on board for the HSBC SVNS 2 and look forward to working together to elevate the fan experience both on and off the pitch.”
Following the Nairobi leg, the second round of the HSBC SVNS 2 series will take place in Montevideo, Uruguay (March 21–22), before the final round in Sao Paulo, Brazil (March 28–29).
The top four teams will earn promotion to the SVNS World Championship, where they will compete against the elite SVNS Division 1 teams at the season-ending events in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux.