New Zealand and South Africa may have celebrated championship wins in Los Angeles, but for many other nations, the final whistle of the 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship marked something else entirely — the end of the road. With World Rugby’s new format slashing core spots from 12 to 8 per gender in Division 1, the celebration in LA was shadowed by growing discontent from emerging rugby nations who say they’re being shut out of the global game.
The Revamp, at a Glance
Back in April, we raised early concerns in this piece about the direction of the SVNS overhaul. Now that the full model has been implemented, here’s what’s changed — and what it means for teams around the world.
World Rugby has restructured the HSBC SVNS Series into a three-tier format set to launch in 2026. The stated goal is to create financial sustainability, streamline the pathway from regional play to the global stage, and increase competitiveness on the road to LA 2028.
- Division 1: 8 women’s and 8 men’s teams will compete in six high-profile events
- Division 2: 6 women’s and 6 men’s teams will play across just three tournaments
- Division 3: Teams begin with regional qualifiers and may advance to a single Challenger event, where the top two teams per gender can earn promotion to Division 2
Source: World Rugby announcement
But the presentation hides the shrinkage
World Rugby’s infographic uses repeated blocks and team totals like “16 teams per event” to suggest expanded access. But that’s 8 women and 8 men — a reduction from 12 per gender in past seasons. The same Division 1 teams appear in multiple boxes to inflate the visual footprint, while the Division 3 pathway is shown as a simple arrow, masking the fact that only two women’s teams per season can escape it.
Critics say the design glosses over what’s been lost: consistent playing opportunities, high-level match exposure, and a straightforward promotion system.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Following the results of the 2025 SVNS World Championship and Play-Offs in Los Angeles (full results here), here’s how the landscape has shifted.
2026 SVNS Division 1 – Women’s Teams:
- New Zealand (Champions)
- Australia (Runners-up)
- Canada (Bronze)
- USA
- Fiji
- Great Britain
- Japan
- France
Who’s Left Out
While eight teams secured spots in the new SVNS Division 1, a number of competitive programs from the 2025 season were left out. Only four of the next eight made it into Division 2. The others, including nations with long-standing SVNS participation, must now start over through regional qualifiers and the standalone Challenger event in Division 3.
Spain beat Argentina 28–0 in the Play-Off Final, which should place them in Division 2. Ireland went 0–3 in pool play, so unless something changes, they’re likely headed to Division 3. We’ll update if World Rugby confirms otherwise.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Brazil – Qualified for Division 2 via Play-Off (won pool and beat Spain)
- China – Qualified for Division 2 via Play-Off (won pool and beat Ireland)
- Spain – Qualified for Division 2 via Play-Off (defeated Argentina 28–0 in final)
- Kenya – Qualified for Division 2 via Play-Off (beat South Africa 17–14 in final)
- Ireland – Went 0–3 in Play-Off pool play; relegated to Division 3 (regional qualifiers)
- South Africa – Lost Play-Off final to Kenya; relegated to Division 3
- Argentina – Lost Play-Off final to Spain; relegated to Division 3
- Colombia – Went 0–3 in Play-Off pool play; relegated to Division 3
These programs now face a much tougher road: fewer matches, reduced exposure, and a narrow pathway back to top-tier play. Only two teams from Division 3 per gender can be promoted each year, and they’ll have to start that journey at the regional level.
Source: LA Play-Off Results
What’s the Pathway Now?
Here’s what’s been confirmed and what’s still unclear:
Known:
- The top 8 teams from the 2025 World Championship form Division 1 for 2026.
- The next 4 teams (based on Play-Off results) earn Division 2 spots.
- All other teams fall to Division 3, beginning their season in regional qualifiers.
Unclear:
- How many Division 2 teams advance to the 2026–27 Division 1 (some sources say four, but this isn’t confirmed in official materials).
- Whether Division 2 teams play head-to-head for promotion or if they must qualify again through regional/Challenger pathways.
- What happens to teams that finish at the bottom of Division 2 — are they relegated to Division 3?
While World Rugby has promoted this as a “clearer pathway,” the actual progression system is still murky, and subject to seasonal resets.
“It’s not a pathway if you can’t see where it leads,” one team manager said privately. “They’ve introduced a three-tier system without publishing the rules of promotion and relegation between the tiers.”
Unless clarified soon, this uncertainty may have long-term consequences — especially for national unions trying to fund and schedule Sevens programs over multi-year Olympic cycles.
Kenya and Spain Lead the Protests
The Kenya Rugby Union publicly condemned the new model, describing it as “a unilateral blow” to growing rugby nations. Their players, backed by a lively fan base in Los Angeles, beat South Africa to secure a Division 2 spot — but that’s a far cry from the visibility and support they’d have under the old system.
“Players were heartbroken,” said coach Louis Kisia. “They gave everything to be part of the top, and now they have to start all over again.”
Source: El Periódico – Kenia protesta por la remodelación del Seven
Spain, which fielded competitive squads in both genders, has remained quiet officially, but domestic media are critical. “Spain risks isolation,” warned El Periódico, noting that political silence won’t spare them from the consequences.
What’s at Stake
Under the new system:
- Only two women’s teams can move from Division 3 to Division 2 each season
- Only four of 12 Division 2 teams will make it into the World Championship Series
- Regional qualifiers now matter more than ever, but most are underfunded and sparsely covered
That’s a tough ask for teams like South Africa, Argentina, and Ireland, who will now need nearly two perfect seasons to re-enter the top tier.
“It’s Machiavellian,” said former USA and Kenya coach Mike Friday, “not fit for purpose. It destroys Tier 2 and Tier 3 programs.”
Source: RugbyPass coverage
What World Rugby Chose to Highlight
World Rugby’s follow-up feature the day after LA was full of emotional highlights — the joy of fans, the rise of stars like Jorja Miller, and nods to the “spectacle” of the SVNS.
What it didn’t mention:
- That half of last year’s core teams are gone
- That many Olympic hopefuls will now play just three tournaments a year
- That the new model makes it easier for the rich to stay rich
A Narrower Road to LA 2028
The changes come just three years before the Los Angeles Olympic Games — ironic, given the new model makes it harder for countries to build competitive Sevens programs in that timeframe.
If you’re one of the top eight, this is your era. If you’re not? The ladder is steeper, the climb longer, and the spotlight dimmer.