Jamaica Kingsmen Confirmed as CPL Franchise Returns
Jamaica’s return to the Caribbean Premier League has been confirmed with the unveiling of the Jamaica Kingsmen as the island’s new franchise. Jamaica Kingsmen CPL announcement marks the team’s comeback after a two-year absence from the competition.
The reveal took place during a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston, formally reintroducing Jamaica to the franchise T20 league.
New identity and ownership vision
The new ownership group, Kingsmen Sports Enterprise, had initially considered retaining the former name, Jamaica Tallawahs. However, owner Fawad Sarwar confirmed that Jamaica Kingsmen was ultimately chosen, with approval from both the CPL and the Jamaican government.
Sarwar also outlined plans to expand the franchise by launching a women’s team, which is set to compete in a four-team tournament later this summer.
Government officials, including Sports Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, expressed their commitment to supporting the franchise over the long term.
CPL return and schedule confirmed
The Caribbean Premier League has confirmed that Sabina Park will host four matches this season, marking the tournament’s return to Jamaica for the first time since 2019.
The 2026 edition of the CPL is scheduled to run from early August until 21 September.
Franchise transition and expansion
The previous franchise owner, Kris Persaud, sold the team back to the CPL due to financial challenges linked to a lack of government support.
Sarwar’s group has since taken over operations and continues to expand its cricket footprint globally. The group also owns the Hyderabad Kingsmen franchise in the Pakistan Super League.
The franchise was acquired during an auction at the Jinnah Convention Centre on 8 January, where Kingsmen (FKS Group) secured the rights with a winning bid of Rs1.75 billion ($6,247,500).
Beyond the Caribbean, the Kingsmen Cricket Club has established a presence in the United States, notably through the Chicago Kingsmen in Minor League Cricket, while also developing operations in Pakistan with ambitions to build facilities and nurture talent.
What this means for CPL
The introduction of the Jamaica Kingsmen signals a significant step in the CPL’s expansion and stability, bringing international investment and renewed structure to the franchise.
With government backing and multi-league ownership, the team’s return strengthens Jamaica’s presence in franchise cricket while contributing to the league’s broader growth.
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