One of the most eagerly anticipated rugby tournaments on the calendar opened it's pre-registration today, the Great Lakes Sevens is officially open.

The Great Lakes Invitational is unlike many other tournaments around the world; built by rugby people for rugby people, the team knows and understands all of the pitfalls and all of the annoyances for teams and has worked hard to eliminate them, providing teams with a tournament full of spectacle, full of action and one of the best experiences ever. Taking place over the weekend on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March 2026 with a youth tournament on Friday 27 February, this will be the biggest rugby extravaganza in Rwanda.

Tournament Director and Great Lakes Director, Mike Mulroy was asked why this is billed as the most anticipated. He responded, "It's taken a little longer to get off the ground than we would have liked, but that just means we have been dotting the Is and crossing the Ts. "

"I receive calls from national teams all the time asking for meaningful competitions so that they have real preparation for regional and world rugby competitions, Great Lakes is designed to give them exactly that - Real & Meaningful competition."

For teams, the Great Lakes is one of the best, and last opportunities, for a professionally organised and managed tournament in a training camp environment before the run in to the HSBC SVNS World Championship.

There is no entry fee for the tournament and all teams will receive free ground transfers, accommodation and certain meals to help smaller nations and other teams, that often struggle with limited budgets

The Great Lakes Sevens will feature up to 16 men's and 16 women's teams from across Africa and the world with a determined focus on national squad development, especially for those competing in the new Division 2 and Division 3 where the opportunity to play has been dramatically reduced.

The Great Lakes Sevens project not only focuses on showcasing rugby in East Africa but presents squads with exactly the type of training and competition that they require. Working alongside RFUEA to enhance opportunites in the region is one of the core principles of the Great Lakes as we embark on an annual tournament that will travel across the entire region.

Commercial Director Ng'arua Kamuya added "The Great Lakes 7s is a fantastic initiative that will help spread rugby in other countries in the great lakes region aside from the three primary countries."

"To host the first edition at the refurbished Amahoro stadium is a statement by the organizers about the need for high calibre 7s tournaments in the region."

Squads can pre-register on the website www.greatlakessevens.com. Details of spectator packages will be released closer to the event.

For more information or to pre-register, teams should click the link below