National 7s Series Returns with Expanded Format and Six-Stop Calendar for 2026 Season

The National 7s Series is set to return in July 2026 with renewed energy and a significantly restructured format that promises to elevate competition, widen participation, and deepen the growth of rugby sevens across the country.

This year’s edition introduces a streamlined yet more competitive structure featuring 12 core men’s sides and 8 core women’s teams, reflecting the tournament’s continued evolution into one of Uganda’s premier rugby spectacles.

The 2026 season will unfold across six carefully structured stops, beginning with five circuit events hosted at fixed, traditional rugby venues before culminating in a highly anticipated Grand Finale.

The season’s climax will be staged at the Muteesa II Royal Stadium in Wankulukuku on the weekend of September 9–10, a venue expected to provide a fitting stage for the decisive moments of a long and demanding campaign where champions will ultimately be crowned.

The confirmed circuit venues, arranged in their official order of play, bring together some of the most iconic rugby locations in the country. Action will kick off at Ruck Yard in Jinja, before shifting to Kings Park Arena in Wakiso, then onto the historic Kyadondo Rugby Grounds in Kampala.

The tour will later head north to Gulu University Grounds in Gulu, before returning east to conclude the circuit phase at Kyabazinga Stadium in Jinja, ensuring a balanced geographic spread that brings the game closer to diverse rugby communities.

The competitive structure of the men’s category has also been reshaped following last season’s results, which saw notable movement between divisions. Gulu City Falcons and Elgon Wolves were relegated after a challenging campaign, paving the way for the introduction of the Victoria Sharks and Mbale Elephants, both of whom now join the elite core of 12 teams and are expected to inject fresh intensity and unpredictability into the 2026 series.

In the women’s category, stability at the top level continues to grow following the expansion to eight core teams, with the She Wolves successfully retaining their status among the elite sides. However, the battle for promotion remains fiercely contested, with Mbale Eagles and Kitgum Queens emerging as strong contenders for elevation, especially after the Ewes were docked crucial points over allegations of fielding ineligible players during their qualification campaign, a decision that significantly altered the promotion landscape.

The revamped format, which was officially unveiled earlier in February, introduces a more structured and developmental tier system designed to strengthen rugby pathways across the country. Under this system, non-core regional teams will first compete in four regional stops, where performance will determine qualification for the National Promotional Playoffs, a two-tournament showdown that will ultimately decide which sides earn the right to ascend into the elite National 7s Series.

With its expanded structure, clearer development pathways, and a grand finale set for one of the country’s most iconic stadiums, the 2026 National 7s Series is shaping up to deliver a more competitive, inclusive, and geographically diverse rugby season, offering both established powerhouses and rising teams a platform to showcase their talent on a national stage.