Promoters urge PM to reconsider ban on fetes at sport venues

The Promoters Association (TTPA) is appealing to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to reconsider Government’s recent decision to ban fetes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Hasely Crawford Stadium and the Jean Pierre Complex, warning that the move threatens the 2026 Carnival season.

In a letter, TTPA president Robert Thompson urged Government to allow the planned events to proceed with noise mitigation measures in place. He also requested dialogue with all stakeholders to explore long-term solutions to noise pollution.

“It may be considered reasonable for the Government to permit the status quo to remain with any additional measures, including those we have recommended for the upcoming events in Carnival 2026,” Thompson said.

The promoters requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and the Arts to address these concerns directly.

Thompson said the bans, announced between November 12th and 18th, have an immediate and severe impact on members.

“These decisions have a significant and immediate impact on our members who have already booked and received written licenses…to use the Brian Lara Stadium and Hasely Crawford Stadium to host fetes in January and February of 2026,” he wrote.

He said the ban applies only to Carnival fetes and not other events, which he described as “unfair and unequal.” He warned that the timing of the decision—less than six weeks before the first Carnival event on January 1, 2026—makes it nearly impossible to relocate events due to limited venue availability and short planning timelines.

The restrictions affect over 60,000 attendees and 10,000 service providers, including stage, sound, and lighting crews, caterers, security firms, and transportation services, many of whom depend on these events for their annual income, he noted.

While meetings were held with Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin, Thompson said uncertainty remains about whether events can proceed.

In recounting their meetings with Benjamin, Thompson said promoters raised the difficulties caused by the sudden ban and the lack of prior consultation. He said the minister acknowledged the challenges and said her team would explore alternative venue options, assist with regulatory issues, and provide logistical support, including potentially using the water taxi service. However, he said a follow-up meeting initially scheduled for November 19 did not take place and at a later meeting on November 21, promoters were informed they would need to locate alternative venues themselves, while the ministry would continue to assist with regulatory and logistical matters.

Thompson argued that the ban is disproportionate and fails to balance noise pollution concerns with the public interest in Carnival celebrations.

“Carnival events are integral to our shared national identity and cultural heritage. They foster national pride, promote our culture, provide a platform for local entertainers and significantly contribute to our economy,” he said.

The association proposed technical solutions to address noise concerns, including the use of acoustic engineers, independent noise monitoring, and speaker orientation to minimise sound travel to residential areas, adding promoters are willing to implement the same measures the National Carnival Commission uses at its events.

Listing the affected events, the association noted that dozens of fetes with expected attendances ranging from 3,000 to 14,000 people would be disrupted if the ban is not lifted. Events include Xperience Mega, OUT in sOUTh, STINK + DUTTY, PREStige All Inclusive, NAPS Paradise, and TRIBE UNITE.

The promoters stressed that many of these events serve as launchpads for international editions in London, New York, Miami, and Toronto. Disruptions locally could affect the global visibility of T&T’s culture and Carnival brand.

The TTPA will hold a media conference today to discuss the issues raised in the letter.