The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is stretching its map once again. For the first time, matches will be played at Arnos Vale in St Vincent and the Grenadines when the 2026 season begins on August 7.
Three early fixtures have been locked in at the venue. The opening night will feature Jamaica Kingsmen against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, followed by St Kitts and Nevis Patriots taking on Trinbago Knight Riders on August 8. Antigua and Barbuda Falcons return on August 9 to face St Lucia Kings.
It is a move the league has been building towards. “Expanding into new territories is an important part of our vision,” CPL chief executive Pete Russell said. Arnos Vale, he added, is “a fantastic venue with a proud cricket history,” and one that promises a lively atmosphere. The ground has already staged 36 men’s internationals and was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup, where spinners often had their say. The tournament will run until September 20, with the playoffs scheduled at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
New team, packed calendar and scheduling headache
Nowadays, most of the T20 franchise leagues are starting to expand. CPL isn’t remaining behind anymore. The Jamaica Kingsmen come in as the seventh franchise, a sign that the CPL is still in expansion mode. With matches spread across eight nations, the league is matching its widest footprint yet.
But growth has its own complications. The CPL window overlaps with England’s Hundred, which runs from July 21 to August 16. That overlap is likely to create selection headaches, especially for players tied to both leagues. Nicholas Pooran and Sherfane Rutherford are among those who could be affected, with commitments to MI London expected to clash with the business end of the CPL season. Meanwhile, Tim Seifert, who was the best player in the CPL last year, is part of the Manchester Super Giants at the Hundred.
CPL fixtures at Arnos Vale:
- August 7 – Jamaica Kingsmen vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons
- August 8 – St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders
- August 9 – Antigua and Barbuda Falcons vs St Lucia Kings
