The Jamaican Government has revealed that plans are advancing swiftly to restore a homegrown franchise to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in time for the August 2026 season.
The initiative, led jointly by the Ministries of Sport and Tourism, will be delivered through a public-private partnership aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability.
In a media release issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Sport confirmed that discussions with key stakeholders are in their final stages, with the goal of securing all necessary arrangements by next summer.
Grange: “We will welcome a new CPL franchise”
Minister of Sport Olivia Grange expressed optimism that Jamaica is on the verge of reclaiming its place in the tournament.
“The discussions have been ongoing for a while now and they are going very well. We have resolved many of the challenges and I’m very confident that we will welcome a new CPL franchise to Jamaica in the new season,” Grange declared.
CPL welcomes Jamaica back into the fold
CPL Chief Executive Officer Peter Russell echoed the excitement, highlighting Jamaica’s importance to the league and the recent upgrades to local facilities.
“We are delighted that there has been significant investment in Sabina Park and have had fruitful and engaging discussions with the Government and other stakeholders about securing a seventh CPL team which will be domiciled in Jamaica for the 2026 season,” Russell said.
A storied past, a promising future
Jamaica has been without a CPL franchise since 2023, when the Jamaica Tallawahs, three-time champions, were controversially replaced by the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. At the time, franchise owner Kris Persaud voiced frustration with what he described as inadequate support from the Jamaican Government, a decision that left local fans without a team to rally behind.
Now, with renewed commitment from both government and league officials, Jamaica looks poised to reestablish its CPL presence and reignite the fervent cricket culture that has long made Sabina Park one of the sport’s most iconic venues.
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