The much-anticipated Festival of Rugby 2026 successfully brought together the Sri Lankan community in the UK for a spectacular day of rugby, music, food, and entertainment at the Fullerians Rugby Football Club in Watford. Widely recognized as one of the biggest Sri Lankan rugby festivals in the UK, the event created an unforgettable atmosphere filled with excitement, unity, and sportsmanship from start to finish.
With schools, old boys, families, and rugby fans gathering under the theme “One Game One Family – Together We Rise,” the festival celebrated not only competitive rugby but also the strong bond within the Sri Lankan community abroad. Throughout the day, supporters witnessed thrilling matches, energetic crowds, delicious food stalls, and nonstop entertainment that kept the venue alive from morning until night.
The Women’s and Men’s Cup Finals delivered some of the most exciting moments of the tournament. In the Women’s Final, Sirimavo Bandaranaike produced a confident and disciplined performance to defeat Buddhist Ladies 2-0 and claim the championship title. The Men’s Cup Final brought an equally intense battle between Trinity A and Isipathana A, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and determination. In front of an energetic crowd, Isipathana A secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Trinity A to lift the prestigious Men’s Cup trophy.
Several other finals also produced highly competitive encounters throughout the day. In the Women’s Plate Final, Ananda Balika edged past Musaeus 1-0. Zahira claimed the Men’s Plate title after defeating St. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia 2-1, while Wesley A secured the Men’s Bowl championship with a 2-1 win against Royal B. The Men’s Shield Final saw Ananda College narrowly overcome Isipathana B in a thrilling 4-3 contest.
Adding to the festival atmosphere were live performances by SOLID and Exceed, while DJ D and DJ Kavi kept the energy high throughout the day. The VIP marquee, food stalls, kids’ activities, and community entertainment ensured a great experience for all.
A special congratulations goes to Gunapalan Vamathevan and the organizing committee for delivering such a well-executed event. Their dedication and hard work were evident throughout the festival.
Festival of Rugby 2026 once again proved to be more than just a sporting event. It was a celebration of community spirit, friendship, culture, and passion for rugby.
Tournament Results
| Match |
Winner |
Score |
| Women’s Plate Final |
Ananda Balika |
1-0 vs Musaeus |
| Women’s Bowl Final |
Visakha Vidyalaya |
1-0 vs Holy Family Convent |
| Women’s Cup Final |
Sirimavo Bandaranaike |
2-0 vs Buddhist Ladies |
| Men’s Plate Final |
Zahira |
2-1 vs St. Thomas’ |
| Men’s Bowl Final |
Wesley A |
2-1 vs Royal B |
| Men’s Shield Final |
Ananda College |
4-3 vs Isipathana B |
| Men’s Cup Final |
Isipathana A |
2-1 vs Trinity A |
Official Photography by Praneeth Hettiarachchi & Team | APISRILANKAN MEDIA
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Highlights
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