Toronto, Canada / Bridgetown, Barbados: NCL GT20 Canada, Canada’s professional T20 franchise tournament, will stage its 2026 edition in St. Vincent and the Grenadines during the October-November window, creating a new bridge between Canadian and West Indies cricket.
The Caribbean staging is specific to the 2026 tournament, with NCL GT20 Canada scheduled to return to Canada in 2027. Organisers have emphasised that the move is not a permanent relocation of the Canadian tournament, but rather a strategic opportunity to strengthen cricketing, developmental and commercial ties between Canada and the West Indies.
The 2026 edition will be delivered through a collaborative framework involving Cricket Canada and Cricket West Indies (CWI), bringing Canadian, Caribbean and international talent together on one platform.
The tournament is expected to provide valuable opportunities for Canadian and emerging North American players to compete alongside established Caribbean and international cricketers. At the same time, West Indies players will gain greater exposure to the Canadian cricket ecosystem, creating opportunities for player development and continued engagement between the two regions.
Building a Bridge Between Canada and the Caribbean
The 2026 Caribbean edition represents an opportunity to establish stronger and lasting connections between the Canadian and West Indies cricket communities.
The tournament will bring together players, administrators, fans and commercial partners from both regions, creating an environment for collaboration that can extend beyond the 2026 season.
When NCL GT20 Canada returns to Canada in 2027, the relationships established through the Caribbean edition are expected to provide a foundation for continued player exchanges, development initiatives, commercial partnerships and fan engagement.
Collaborative Approach to Growth
Under the collaborative framework, Cricket West Indies will have an important role in governance, compliance and regulatory coordination for the 2026 edition, while also holding a direct franchise investment.
The partnership reflects a broader effort to strengthen sporting and commercial connections across the Americas while supporting the continued growth and development of cricket in both Canada and the Caribbean.
Arvinder Khosa, President of Cricket Canada, welcomed the Caribbean staging, describing NCL GT20 as fundamentally a Canadian tournament while highlighting the opportunity to use the 2026 edition to build stronger connections between Canadian and West Indies cricket.
Chris Dehring, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket West Indies, also welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing the potential for the partnership to support the continued development of Canadian cricket while strengthening relationships between Cricket West Indies and ICC Associate Members in the region.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Welcomes NCL GT20
The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has welcomed the opportunity to host the tournament, viewing the event as an avenue to bring high-level international sport to the country while providing an opportunity for players, supporters and visitors to experience the destination.
The October-November tournament window is expected to feature Canadian players, emerging North American talent, established Caribbean cricketers and international players in a celebration of T20 cricket.
Beyond the competition itself, the Caribbean edition is expected to enhance international visibility, fan engagement and commercial activity while showcasing St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean as destinations capable of hosting major sporting events.
Further details regarding the tournament schedule and participating teams will be announced in due course.
The 2026 staging marks a significant chapter in the development of NCL GT20 Canada, connecting two vibrant cricket markets while laying the groundwork for stronger sporting and commercial relationships between Canada and the Caribbean.
