Kyushu Women’s Sevens – Nanairo Cup Kitakyushu 2026
The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce that the Nanairo CUP KYUSHU WOMEN’S SEVENS 2026, will be held on March 20 and 21 in Kitakyushu, the northern most city on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. Sponsored by Hokuyo Corporation (北洋建設 / Hokuyo Kensetsu), the fifth addition of the tournament will bring together ten domestic and two international sides.
Taking place at Mikuni World Stadium in the heart of the city, the tournament will continue its mission of providing high-level sevens competition to emerging talent based in the south of Japan. With the standard of Japan’s National Women’s Sevens team growing stronger every year, and with Sevens being a major source of talent for the Sakura Fifteens, competitions like the Nanairo Cup are vital for the ongoing development of the women’s game in Japan.
“With the strong alignment between our national Sevens and Fifteens programmes, competitions like the Nanairo Cup in Kitakyushu are a vital platform for uncovering emerging talent at club level. It also offers players a valuable chance to experience top-tier competition and measure themselves against international opposition,” commented Akane Kagawa, JRFU Director of Women’s Rugby.
“On behalf of the JRFU, I would like to send our sincerest thanks to all sponsors, local stakeholders and the army of volunteers that make this wonderful event a reality. Now in its fifth year, the Nanairo Cup continues to go from strength to strength.”
12 Participating Teams
・ Yokohama TKM
・ Nagato Blue Angels
・ Nanairo Prism Fukuoka
・ Self-Defence Force PTS
・ Women’s Senior Academy
・ Otemon Gakuin University Women’s Rugby Club VENUS
・ Nihon Keizai University Women’s Rugby Club AMATERUS
・ Waseda University Women’s Rugby Club
・ Azalea Seven
・ Kobe Fast Gyro
・ Ratana Wāhine Rugby (New Zealand)
・ Asian Barbarians (All Stars)
Fans looking to catch the action live at Mikuni World Stadium can enjoy free entry on both days. The matches kick off at 12:00 midday on Friday, March 20, with an earlier start of 09:30 on Saturday, March 21. Alongside the on-field Sevens action, attendees can explore a wide range of food options and entertainment in the stadium concourse, making it a weekend not to be missed.