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Sevens
11 nations and 19 teams will gather in Tokyo for the Deaf Rugby World Cup 2026, the third cycle of the tournament to take place.
Deaf Rugby Week has seen a significant increase in interest over the past few years, with the most recent tournament taking place in Argentina 2023, with four women’s teams and eight men’s teams, incl Barbarians side in each competition.
Wales are the current defending champions in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, the men’s team is going for its third consecutive title in weeks after also winning the first iteration of the tournament in Australia in 2018, devastating England 21-15 in the final.
The Welsh men then defended their title in 2023, beating Australia 20-5 in the final in Cordoba, while the Welsh women won the inaugural women’s title, beating England 32-0 in Argentina.
The first incarnation of international deaf rugby was also won by Wales, who won the first and only XV tournament in 2002 with a 28-14 win over New Zealand at Eden Park, before the tournament switched to a weeks format in 2018.
However, with the tournament continuing to grow, Wales’ hold on the top of both tournaments is expected to be well challenged as they look to defend their titles in Japan.
The 2026 tournament will see a significant increase, with 11 men’s teams playing in two pools, while six teams will play in the women’s tournament.
Hosts Japan will return to the men’s tournament after competing in the 2023 iteration, and will be joined by Hong Kong China, who will field their first team in the tournament’s history.
In addition, Australia, Fiji, England, Italy, New Zealand, Samoa and South Africa will make up the remaining teams ready to compete in the men’s tournament, including the Barbarian side.
The six-team women’s tournament will feature teams from Fiji, England, New Zealand and Australia, as well as the Barbara team.
The opening round of pool action will take place on Saturday, October 31 at Yumenoshima Stadium, Koto-ku, Tokyo, with the second round on Monday, November 2 at Spears Edoriku Field, home Japan Rugby League One by Kubota Spears.
The competition will then conclude with the final at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, home of Suntory Sungoliath and Urayasu D-Rocks, on Tuesday 2 November 2026.
2026 DEAF RUGBY 7S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s tournament
Group A: Wales, South Africa, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Barbary
Group B: Australia, England, Hong Kong China, Japan, Italy
Women’s Tournament:
Pool: Wales, England, Fiji, Australia, Barbary, New Zealand
2026 Seats:
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Saturday 31 October 2026 – Round 1 – Yumenoshima Stadium, Koto Ward, Tokyo
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Monday 2 November 2026 – Round 2 – Spears Edoriku Field, Tokyo
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Tuesday 3 November 2026 – Final – Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
