Sabina Park could absorb parties when Mas Camp closes

With Mas Camp’s imminent closure in the first half of 2027, event promoters are searching for greener pastures to host events that have become staples on the social and entertainment calendar, with Sabina Park emerging as one option.

But while the South Camp Road facility is positioned to absorb a sizeable increase in entertainment events, Dr Donovan Bennett, president of the Jamaica Cricket Association, co-operators of Sabina Park with Kingston Cricket Club, said the association is willing to accommodate such events where possible, provided they do not conflict with the stadium’s cricket commitments, as cricket remains the priority.

“We know that we are the only other ground in Jamaica that has proper lighting etc., so we are here to accommodate as best as we can. So whatever events we can accommodate, we will accommodate it but we need to remember that cricket comes first and cricket is a priority,” said Bennett. “Whatever demands are sent to us and we can accommodate them, then we will. [But] entertainment events would have to be scheduled in between all of the major cricket commitments that Sabina has, and there are many. I hope we can accommodate some of these groups if they so desire, but it has to be outside of when we have demands for cricket.”

While synonymous with cricket, Sabina Park has also become a magnet for blockbuster entertainment events. From Aidonia’s star-studded concert to Sizzla’s Rise to the Occasion showcase, Sabina Park has continued to attract some of Jamaica’s biggest music events

The venue boasts an official capacity of 20,000, with major renovations carried out following preparations for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Seating is spread across the George Headley Stand, Northern Stand, Party Stand, Members Pavilion and general admissions areas.

While this capacity and the grounds’ facilities, including restrooms and food conveniences, seem ideal for large-scale concerts and parties, the venue is said to lack sufficient parking facilities, at times forcing patrons to leave their vehicles on the side of both the main road and side streets.

In terms of renovation to accommodate more diverse events, Bennett shared that over the past two years, they have done a fair bit of upgrading to the facilities in keeping with acceptable international sporting standards.

“We have updated the lights to make them fit for all competitions. In fact, the specifications for cricket are much higher than for football or any other sport. We have a brand new scoreboard that we were able to get through the generosity of the Indian government, so it’s a modern scoreboard that costs over a US$1 million, and we have refurbished most of the boxes and basically painted and spruced up the park. So we have been working. So if you go to the park now, you will see that the stadium is a different place.”

With that said, Bennett emphasised that there will have to be measures in place to protect the cricket grounds.

“At the end of the day, not hosting an event there is not just about dates clashing, but because we need two to three weeks with the stadium being free of activity to prepare for any national or major cricket events. Everybody has to come off so that we can get it into shape. So it’s not just saying we have a match against India on the first of June; therefore an event can take place on the 30th and 31st of May. It doesn’t work that way.”