Rugby Sevens championships announced for South Africa and China

The 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens is scheduled to be held at Stellenbosch University in South Africa from September 4–6, 2026. The tournament will feature 17 teams, including eight women’s and nine men’s squads. Confirmed participants include South Africa, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, the United States, Ireland, Chile, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Uganda, and Norway. Japan is the sole Asian representative for both the men’s and women’s divisions.

In Asia, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) 2026 Leg 1 will take place in Suzhou, China, from August 29–30. The tournament features 12 women’s and 12 men’s national teams. The Hong Kong China men’s team and the Japanese women’s team are set to begin their title defenses. The second leg of the series is scheduled for October 17–18 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with combined log points determining the final standings and relegation.