Wales chase historic third straight title as Deaf Rugby World Sevens heads to Tokyo

Wales will bid to become the first nation to win three consecutive World Deaf Rugby Sevens titles when the 2026 Championship gets underway at Yumenoshima Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, 31 October.

The tournament has grown substantially since its last edition in Córdoba, Argentina in 2023, which featured eight men’s sides and four women’s teams. The 2026 iteration will bring together 11 men’s sides split across two pools and six women’s teams, representing the largest field in the competition’s history.

Wales are the dominant force in both competitions. The Welsh men won the inaugural sevens title in Australia in 2018, defeating England 21-15 in the final, before retaining it in Argentina with a 20-5 victory over Australia. The Welsh women claimed the first women’s title in 2023, beating England 32-0. Wales also hold the distinction of winning the only XVs edition of international deaf rugby, defeating New Zealand 28-14 at Eden Park in 2002.

The men’s draw places Wales in Pool A alongside South Africa, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji and a Barbarians side. Pool B features Australia, England, Hong Kong China, Japan and Italy. Hong Kong China will be making their tournament debut, while hosts Japan return after competing in 2023. The women’s pool brings together Wales, England, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and a Barbarians side.

Pool matches will be played across two days — Round 1 at Yumenoshima Stadium on 31 October and Round 2 at Spears Edoriku Field on 2 November. The finals will be held at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo on 3 November 2026, the home ground of Top League clubs Suntory Sungoliath and the Urayasu D-Rocks.

Organisers have pointed to the expanded field as evidence of the sport’s rapid growth, and with stronger representation from the southern hemisphere — including Fiji, Samoa and South Africa entering the men’s draw — Wales face a significantly tougher path to retaining their titles than in previous editions.