Asia Rugby has scheduled the Emirates Sevens Trophy – West & Central 2026 to take place on 6–7 November 2026. This tournament will be hosted at Ayla Oasis in Aqaba, Jordan. The competition brings together regional teams for two days of matches at the coastal venue. Officials confirmed the event dates and location as part of the preparations for the upcoming tournament schedule. Aqaba serves as the primary site for the matches, which are organized under the authority of Asia Rugby and sponsored by Emirates. Athletes and support staff are expected to arrive in Jordan ahead of the opening games on 6 November.
Tournament Structure and Significance
Nine men's teams and five women's teams are set to compete in the tournament. These participating squads will gather at Ayla Oasis for the two-day event.
Jordan serves as the host nation for an Asia Rugby sevens tournament for the first time. The selection of Aqaba as a venue marks a departure from previous event locations within the regional circuit.
Success in the competition carries significant implications for the future standing of the teams. Winners of the tournament will earn promotion to the 2027 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series. This advancement opportunity provides a pathway for top-performing sides to compete in the higher-tier continental competition next year.
Selection Process and Standards
Eleven referees from eight Member Unions have been appointed to the match officials panel for the 2026 Sevens Trophy. Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai stated, "Growing rugby across Asia requires investment in our match officials alongside our players, coaches and competitions. We are particularly pleased to see referees from Iraq, India, Nepal and Pakistan receiving opportunities to officiate at international level. These experiences are essential to building a stronger pool of match officials across Asia and creating pathways for future appointments. We thank Emirates for its continued support of match officials and their development."
Rizwan Malik, Asia Rugby Referees Committee Chair, emphasized the standards governing these appointments. "Our responsibility is to ensure that match officials are selected through a fair and consistent process, based on their readiness and ability to perform at the required level," Malik said. "At the same time, we must continue identifying and developing emerging referees from across our Member Unions."
