Paradise Touch Rugby Tournament 2026 ends on a high in Kandy

Two days of fast-paced action, international competition and plenty of sporting camaraderie came to an exciting close at the Kandy Sports Club Grounds, Nittawela, as the Paradise Touch Rugby Tournament 2026 successfully wrapped up its second edition on 5 and 6 September 2026.

With 12 teams from Sri Lanka, India and Qatar taking to the field, Paradise Touch 2026 delivered a weekend that was about far more than the final score. It was a celebration of a sport that is steadily finding its place in Sri Lanka, while bringing together players, teams and supporters from different communities and countries.

Organised by the Colombo Touch Rugby Club, the tournament built on the foundation laid by its inaugural edition in 2025. Teams from across Sri Lanka were joined by visiting sides from Goa and Bengaluru in India and Qatar, while three Kandy-based teams added a strong local presence. 

The Cup Final between Hurricane Storm from Qatar and Kandy Touch Rugby Club provided a thrilling finale to the weekend. The scores remained locked through regulation time, forcing the championship to be decided in overtime. In the end, it was Hurricane Storm who claimed the 2026 Cup Championship, with Kandy Touch Rugby Club taking the Cup Runners-Up title.

The final was a fitting reflection of the intensity seen throughout the tournament, with both sides producing a high-quality display and keeping spectators on the edge of their seats until the final stages.

The other division winners were: Plate Champions: Tiger Touch; Plate Runners-Up: Cey Barbarians; Bowl Champions: Maul Patrol 2.0; Bowl Runners-Up: Colombo Touch Rugby Legends; Shield Champions: Goa Crocs; Shield Runners-Up: Colombo Touch Rugby and Spirit of Touch Award: Bengaluru Touch Rugby.

The Spirit of Touch Award went to Bengaluru Touch Rugby, for demonstrating the values that lie at the heart of touch rugby—respect, sportsmanship, friendship and community. It was an award that captured the character of the weekend. Fierce competition on the field was matched by handshakes, conversations, shared experiences and new friendships.

Paradise Touch 2026 demonstrated just how much the touch rugby community has grown since the first tournament. The international participation from India and Qatar added another dimension to the competition, allowing Sri Lankan teams to test themselves against different playing styles and levels of experience. At the same time, the strong participation from Kandy highlighted the city’s potential to become an important centre for touch rugby in Sri Lanka.

For the local players, having international teams competing at Nittawela meant that they did not have to travel abroad to experience a different level of competition. They could step onto their home field and test themselves against it. That combination of competition, connection and community is at the heart of what the Colombo Touch Rugby Club hopes to build through Paradise Touch.

Perodua, represented by United Motors PLC, came on board as the tournament’s Key Sponsor, providing valuable support towards the staging of the event and helping create a platform for local and international participation.

ThePapare, the Official Broadcasting Partner, brought the action to a wider audience through live streaming, while its photography team captured the intensity, excitement and atmosphere of the tournament across both days. Hashtaglk also contributed to the tournament’s visual coverage, capturing the moments that told the wider story of Paradise Touch—from the action on the field to team celebrations, supporters and the friendships formed throughout the weekend.

Asiri Hospital Kandy, the Official Medical Partner, provided medical support throughout the tournament, helping ensure the safety and wellbeing of players and officials.

YETI, the Official Hydration Partner, kept teams and officials hydrated throughout the competition, while Captain Exclusive, the Official Clothing Partner, provided the tournament’s clothing and apparel requirements.

The organisers extend their sincere appreciation to Kandy Sports Club, the tournament’s Official Venue Partner, for making the Nittawela Grounds available and providing an outstanding setting for a weekend that brought together teams and supporters from across Sri Lanka and overseas. Special thanks also go to Nigel Ratwatte, former captain of the Sri Lanka Rugby Union, for his continued encouragement and support in helping to grow touch rugby in Kandy, raise awareness of the sport and create greater opportunities for players in the region. The organisers further acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Global Elite Volunteers and the Rotaract Club of Kandy Metropolitan, whose volunteers worked across various aspects of the tournament throughout the weekend. Their time, energy and commitment were instrumental in keeping the event running smoothly and reflected the strong sense of community that lies at the heart of Paradise Touch.

For the Colombo Touch Rugby Club, Paradise Touch 2026 represents another important milestone in its ambition to take the sport to a wider audience and create more opportunities for people across Sri Lanka to play touch rugby.

The tournament is becoming more than just an annual competition. It is developing into a meeting point for the country’s touch rugby community—a place where established teams can compete, new players can gain experience and international friendships can begin.

The second edition has also demonstrated what can happen when players, volunteers, partners and supporters come together behind a shared sporting vision.

From an overtime-decided Cup Final to the friendships formed away from the field, Paradise Touch 2026 delivered two memorable days of sport, energy and community, reinforcing the growing potential of touch rugby in Sri Lanka.