One of Sri Lanka’s oldest sporting traditions returns this November as the Mercantile Rugby Football Association (MRFA) hosts the 54th Mercantile Rugby Sevens on 13th and 14th November 2026 at the CR & FC Grounds.
First played in 1966, when Shaw Wallace & Hedges Ltd lifted the inaugural title, the Mercantile Rugby Sevens has spanned six decades and 54 editions, making it one of the longest-running corporate tournaments in the country. Over the years it has grown from a contest among a handful of trading houses into a celebration of speed, skill, camaraderie and sportsmanship across the entire corporate sector, with generations of players going on to represent leading clubs and the national side.
The tournament’s roll of honour reads like a history of Sri Lankan business. John Keells stands as the most successful institution in the event’s history, with eleven titles, beginning with a hat-trick from 1968 to 1970 and most recently winning as John Keells Holdings PLC in 2022 and 2024. Hatton National Bank follows closely with nine championships, including its own hat-trick from 1991 to 1993 and back-to-back wins in 2001 and 2002. The modern era has been shaped by MAS Holdings, whose seven titles include three in a row from 2013 to 2015 and a shared crown with Access Group in 2019.
Other famous names have also left their mark. Brown & Co., Ceylon Tobacco, Butani Exports, Asia Capital, Sampath Bank, Seylan Bank and Emjay International each claimed consecutive titles in their time, while Aitken Spence, A Baur & Co., Jade Gardens Sports Club, Nation Lanka Finance and 3DH International have all etched their names on the trophy. Link Natural arrive at the 2026 edition as defending champions after claiming the title in 2025, and will be looking to join the select group of teams to have successfully defended their crown.
Teams will compete across Four tiers suited to their strength and experience. The Cup and Plate is an open competition with no limit on registered club players. The Bowl allows up to four registered club players in a squad, with no more than three on the field at any time. The Shield allows up to two registered club players, with only one permitted on the field at any time. This structure gives companies of every size and rugby background a fair and competitive pathway into the tournament.
The MRFA invites rugby fans, families and colleagues to keep 13th and 14th November free. Entrance to all matches at the CR & FC Grounds will be free of charge, offering spectators two full days of fast-paced sevens rugby and the chance to cheer on their teams in a vibrant weekend atmosphere.
Further details on the tournament, including rules and eligibility, are available on the MRFA website at www.mrfa.lk.
 hosts the 54th Mercantile Rugby Sevens on 13th and 14th November 2026 at the CR & FC Grounds. ){kind=link}