Aqaba Rugby Sevens 2026: Results and Visiting Aqaba

On 6 and 7 November 2026, Aqaba hosted the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy – West & Central, the first time Jordan has ever hosted an Asia Rugby sevens tournament. Fourteen men’s and women’s teams from nine nations played two days of fast, open rugby at Ayla Oasis, with the Red Sea and the mountains of Aqaba as a backdrop. And for home supporters there was plenty to cheer about: both of Jordan’s teams made it all the way to the final.

Here is how the weekend went, and why Aqaba is such a good place to spend a few days, whether or not there is a tournament on.

The tournament

The event was hosted by Jordan Rugby and organised by Asia Rugby, with Emirates as title partner. Nine teams took part in the men’s competition: Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Five teams contested the women’s competition: Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The stakes were high, because the winners of each competition earned promotion to the 2027 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series.

The men’s competition

Bahrain went through the weekend unbeaten. They had already edged Jordan 7–5 in the pool stage, then beat Lebanon 33–12 in their semi-final, while Jordan beat Pakistan 22–0 in theirs. The final was a rematch, and this time Bahrain pulled away to win 26–12. Pakistan took bronze by beating Lebanon 29–7, and Pakistan’s Mohsin Raza finished as the tournament’s top try scorer with seven tries.

The women’s competition

Lebanon won all four of their pool matches and then beat Saudi Arabia 17–5 in the semi-finals. Jordan’s women reached the final with a tense 12–10 win over Syria, but Lebanon were too strong on the day and won the final 22–0. Syria took bronze with a 15–10 win over Saudi Arabia.

That left Bahrain’s men and Lebanon’s women promoted to next year’s Sevens Series, and Jordan with two silver medals on home soil.

More than a tournament

While the teams were in town, seven members of the West Asia Rugby Alliance (Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Syria) signed a memorandum of understanding in Aqaba to work together on competitions, coaching, refereeing and rugby education across the region, with more regular fixtures for men’s and women’s teams planned for 2027.

For us, as a local tour operator, it is good news to see Jordan hosting more international sport. Over the past weeks the country has also welcomed the Marathon des Sables in Wadi Rum and an international MMA fight night at the Roman Theatre in Amman, and events like these bring visitors who often come back to see more of the country.

Visiting Aqaba

Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city and its window onto the Red Sea. The water is warm for most of the year, and the coral reefs start just off the beach, so it is a great place for a first snorkel or a dive. Boat trips leave from the marina for a few hours of swimming and snorkelling, and from the water you can see the coasts of Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The town itself is relaxed, with a seafront promenade, fish restaurants and an old fort near the waterfront. Wadi Rum is only about an hour’s drive away, which makes Aqaba an easy place to finish a trip after a night in the desert. Aqaba also has its own airport, King Hussein International, so you can fly out from here instead of driving back to Amman.

Add Aqaba to your trip

Aqaba is the last stop on our 7-day Jordan itinerary and on our Experience Jordan Tour, where we finish the week with a boat trip on the Red Sea. In the warmer months, our Summer Adventure in Jordan also includes snorkelling there. If you are coming to Jordan for a sports event, we can build a private tour around it, or just get in touch and tell us your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Where was the rugby tournament held in Aqaba?

At Ayla Oasis in Aqaba, on 6 and 7 November 2026.

Who won the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy in Aqaba?

Bahrain won the men’s competition, beating Jordan 26–12 in the final, and Lebanon won the women’s competition, beating Jordan 22–0. Both winners were promoted to the 2027 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series.