Asia’s premier women’s rugby competition returns as the Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship 2026 kicks off in Almaty. With pride, rankings, and continental honours on the line, this year’s championship focuses purely on elite competition, showcasing the very best of women’s rugby in Asia.
A Championship with Legacy and Prestige
First played in 2006, the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship celebrates its 20-year anniversary in 2026, marking two decades of growth, resilience, and excellence in the women’s game.
Now in its 15th edition, the competition remains the pinnacle of women’s XVs rugby in Asia, bringing together the region’s strongest national teams in a battle for the title of Asian champions.
Defending champions Japan, currently ranked 11th in the world, return as the dominant force in the competition’s history, while Hong Kong China (17) and hosts Kazakhstan (19) arrive determined to challenge for top honours.
The Almaty Sport Complex will host all three fixtures in a round-robin format:
- 30 April 2026 – Kazakhstan vs Japan (16:00) *
- 5 May 2026 – Japan vs Hong Kong China (16:00) *
- 10 May 2026 – Kazakhstan vs Hong Kong China (14:00) *
* Local time (+5 GMT)
The hosts will open the tournament against Japan, setting up a compelling opening clash with the hosts.
Elite Match Officials Appointed
Asia Rugby has appointed an experienced panel of Emirates Match Officials to ensure the highest standards of officiating throughout the championship.
Referees
- Sunny Lee Chui Yan
- Christabelle Lim
- Hibiki Ikeda
Assistant Referees
- Matthew Rodden
- Leow Wei Liang
- Patrick Kwok
- Adeline Chew
- Joanna Bezuidenhout
- Miku Tashiro
- Television Match Official (TMO)
- Stephgen Copeman
- Just Wang
Tournament operations will be led by Ghaith Jalajel, with respected Referee Manager Dilroy Fernando overseeing officiating standards, reinforcing Asia Rugby’s commitment to high performance and integrity across all matches.
Related News
Asia Rugby Emirates Competitions Calendar 2026
Official Voices
Qais Al Dhalai – President, Asia Rugby
“The Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship reflects the strength, ambition, and progress of women’s rugby in our region. As we celebrate 20 years of this competition, it continues to inspire the next generation and elevate the standard of the game across Asia.”
Asanga Seneviratne – Chairperson, Asia Rugby Competitions Committee
“The Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship marks an exciting start to our 2026 competitions calendar. This tournament sets the tone for a season that promises high performance, strong competition, and continued growth of the women’s game across Asia.”
A Celebration of 20 Years
As the championship marks its 20-year milestone, the 2026 edition stands as both a celebration of progress and a statement of intent for the future.
Three teams. Three matches. One champion.
Global Broadcast and Fan Engagement
All matches will be broadcast live on Asia Rugby platforms and RugbyPass TV, ensuring global visibility for the competition.
Fans can also follow:
- Live match updates
- Highlights and key moments
- Behind-the-scenes content
across Asia Rugby’s digital and social media channels, bringing the championship closer to audiences across the region and beyond.
