Asia Rugby U19 Top 4 returns to SL after 26 years

Busy schedule of sevens and fifteens rugby for SL during 2026

• Kandy tipped to host historic event

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has once again reaffirmed its standing within the Asian rugby fraternity by securing hosting rights for the prestigious Asia Rugby Under-19 Top 4 tournament, returning to the island after a lapse of 26 years. 

The last time Sri Lanka staged this elite junior competition was in 2000, when the hosts finished third and earned qualification to the following year’s Junior Rugby World Cup in Chile. The 2000 event took place in Colombo, with Jivan Goonathilake leading the outfit, plus the Chile tour as well.

The forthcoming tournament marks a significant milestone, as Kandy is tipped to host the Asia Rugby Under-19 Top 4 XV-a-side competition for the very first time. Widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s rugby capital, Kandy offers a passionate fan base, iconic venues, and a deep-rooted rugby culture, making it an ideal setting for a tournament of this stature, where rugby is considered as the no. 1 sport.

The event further underlines the growing confidence Asia Rugby (AR) has on SLR, and they will need to put up a good show on organising skills, looking after players, officials, media, and spectators with greater interest.

Under the leadership of SLR President Pavithra Fernando, comprehensive planning is already underway to meet international benchmarks in accommodation, transport, match operations, and player welfare for the AR Top 4 U19 Kandy event, with partner hotels located within walking distance of the historic Nittawela Rugby Stadium. Young players will enjoy a professional environment and the rare opportunity to perform in front of knowledgeable and enthusiastic home crowds.

The Under-19 Top 4 will feature four of Asia’s strongest emerging rugby nations at junior level Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei. The competition is not only a battle for regional supremacy but also a crucial step in the qualification pathway towards the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

Sri Lanka’s young Tuskers are set to face a stern test in the semi-finals, locking horns with a strong Hong Kong outfit, while South Korea will meet Chinese Taipei in the other semi-final. These high-intensity encounters are expected to provide invaluable exposure for Sri Lanka’s next generation of internationals.

Beyond the Under-19 tournament, SLR faces a packed and demanding calendar in 2026. Sri Lanka will host Hong Kong in their sole home fixture of the Asia Rugby Top 4 senior competition, with away matches scheduled against South Korea and the UAE during June and early July.

The year also features major developmental and promotional events, including the revival of the Kappa Cup “Origins Game” in Kandy in April, a highly anticipated Kandy versus Colombo clash after several years. Sri Lanka will also return to the Borneo Rugby Sevens, organised by the Malaysian Rugby Union, following a prolonged absence.

AR is also set to conduct two legs of regional Sevens tournaments, with Sri Lanka tipped to host one leg, further strengthening the country’s position as a regional hub for the shorter format. The Asian Games in Japan during September-October 2026 will feature rugby sevens, adding further significance to preparation pathways.

Beyond competition, hosting the Under-19 Top 4 offers long-term benefits to Sri Lankan rugby. It serves as a development platform for referees, match officials, medical teams and volunteers, while reinforcing Kandy’s status as the nation’s strongest rugby centre, where club matches regularly attract crowds exceeding 3,000 spectators. The tournament’s return is both a reward for progress made and a platform to shape the future of Sri Lankan rugby.