53rd COBRA 10s brings 12 elite teams from six countries to Petaling Jaya with first carnival weekend

The 53rd COBRA 10s, one of Malaysia's longest-running rugby tournaments, will bring 12 elite men's teams from six countries to Petaling Jaya at the end of the month. This year the organisers are adding a junior festival to make it a full carnival weekend.

COBRA Rugby Club will stage the tournament at Padang Astaka on 31 October and 1 November. Teams are coming from Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Singapore.

A carnival weekend for the first time

The main change for 2026 is the first COBRA 10s Carnival Weekend. It puts the senior tournament alongside the COBRA 10s Mini, the club's junior competition.

The organisers expect around 2,000 young players at the Mini, including junior teams from Singapore and Sri Lanka. Having the junior and senior events at the same venue means youngsters can play their own matches and also watch international club sides up close.

The weekend will also include exhibition matches for six women's teams and three veterans' teams. That builds on 2025, when the tournament added women's and veterans' categories for the first time.

The men's elite field

Twelve teams will contest the elite men's competition over the two days. Bernama's report lists the countries but not yet the full line-up of clubs.

Last year's 52nd edition, also at Padang Astaka, had 12 elite teams from seven countries, including New Zealand and Samoa. Six Malaysian sides took part in 2025: hosts COBRA, KL Tigers, SSTMI Tsunami, MPSJ Knight, Royal Town Warriors and KRAS Rugby. For the local clubs, the tournament is a chance to test themselves against overseas opposition without travelling.

Clinics in schools

TotalEnergies is working with COBRA on a grassroots programme. Coaching clinics will be held at the club's grounds and at selected schools, with visiting international players sharing skills and talking about sportsmanship.

Club president Darryll Sinnappa said the event celebrates rugby at every level, calling 2026 "a special year for COBRA".

Nearly six decades of tens rugby

COBRA was founded in Petaling Jaya in 1967. The club says it staged the world's first rugby tens tournament that same year. The event went international in 1992, and overseas clubs and invitational sides have been part of it ever since. Recent fields have included teams from Oceania, Africa and the United Kingdom.

Tens rugby uses 10 players a side. It sits between the Olympic sevens format and the full 15-a-side game, so it rewards fast, open play while still leaving room for forward battles.

For Malaysian fans, the tournament is a chance to watch international rugby close to home without leaving the Klang Valley. Organisers have not yet released the full match schedule or ticket details.

Key takeaways

• The 53rd COBRA 10s runs on 31 October and 1 November at Padang Astaka, Petaling Jaya.
• Twelve elite men's teams from Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, the UK, South Africa and Singapore will compete.
• The first Carnival Weekend adds the junior COBRA 10s Mini, with about 2,000 young players expected.
• Six women's teams and three veterans' teams will play exhibition matches.

FAQ When and where is the COBRA 10s 2026? It runs on 31 October and 1 November at Padang Astaka in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Which countries are sending teams? Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Singapore. Junior teams from Singapore and Sri Lanka are also expected for the COBRA 10s Mini.

How old is the COBRA 10s? COBRA Rugby Club was formed in 1967, and the club says it held the world's first tens tournament that year. This year's event is the 53rd edition.

Sources: Bernama, COBRA Rugby Club