St Vincent and the Grenadines looking to host CPL franchise

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC):

ST VINCENT and the Grenadines’ Minister of Tourism Carlos James has revealed that the island is exploring the possibility of becoming the new home base for a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise.

Following the successful staging of the recently concluded, inaugural Emancipation Cricket Festival, a locally based tournament, James said government and local cricket leaders are actively pursuing viable opportunities for a CPL team to be based at Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

James made the disclosure as he pointed out that the Emancipation Cricket Festival could become an annual event in the country.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines is also very keen on being a host country for a CPL franchise. We are going to aggressively look at being one of the host territories to join the others.

“I know, very soon, they are hoping to have two additional teams in the CPL, and we are in the bid to be considered as one of the hosts to have a franchise,” James said.

Meanwhile, Jamaica is also making significant moves toward a re-entry into the CPL landscape.

Pete Russell, CPL’s chief executive officer, revealed that discussions were ongoing with potential new ownership and Jamaican stakeholders, with hopes of returning to the league by 2026.

Russell also noted that the league is keen on making a return to Kingston.

“We had talks with several businesses who are very interested in investing in a CPL franchise in Jamaica and these talks have been positive and productive.

“We are hoping that we can come back to Jamaica for the 2026 season, but this is still a work in progress,” Russell noted.

“As the most populous country in the English-speaking Caribbean, it has of course impacted on CPL by not having a presence in the country, and we have made it clear that we want to be in Jamaica and bringing CPL cricket to the fans there.”

There are six franchises preparing for the 2025 edition of the CPL: Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinbago Knight Riders, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, and last year’s winners, St Lucia Kings.