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The 2026 National Rugby 7s Series will begin with plenty at stake after the Stone City 7s pools were unveiled ahead of the season opener in Jinja.
This year’s competition introduces a new format that is expected to make every match count.
The men’s field has been reduced to 12 core teams split into three pools of four, while the women’s competition has expanded to eight teams in two groups.
The series will be played over six rounds across the country before concluding with the Kakaba Coronation 7s at Muteesa II Stadium in Wakulukuku.
The men’s draw has already produced a standout group. Pool B pits last season’s runners-up Heathens against a resurgent KOBs, Mongers and Mbale Elephants in what promises to be the toughest battle of the opening round.
Hosts Walukuba Barbarians headline Pool A alongside Rhinos, Hippos and Victoria Sharks, while Pool C features Buffaloes, Black Pirates, Eagles and Rams.
The women’s competition is equally competitive. Defending champions Thunderbirds have been drawn with Walukuba Titans, last season’s surprise package, as well as an improving Nile Rapids and Mbale Eagles in Pool A.
Pool B consists of Avengers, Black Pearls, She Wolves and Ewes.
The new format raises the stakes in the group stage. The top two teams from each men’s pool will qualify automatically for the quarterfinals, with the remaining two places going to the best third-placed teams based on points earned during the pool stage.
If teams finish level on points, rankings will be decided by points difference, followed by try difference, total points scored, total tries scored and, if necessary, a coin toss.
