Guyana set to host 2027 CARIFTA Games; Barbados takes 2028

Guyana will stage the 54th CARIFTA Games in 2027, and Barbados will host the following year, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) confirmed on Thursday.

A NACAC statement said the dual hosting plan locks in the near-term calendar for the junior regional championships. The association credited the swift backing of CARICOM Heads of Government with making the arrangement possible.

The decision follows the late withdrawal of two member federations that had signalled interest in staging the 2027 meet. Those pullouts came only days before the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting held from July 5 to 8.

NACAC said it took the matter directly to the heads of government, stressing both the need for a confirmed host next year and the wider importance of sport for young people across the Caribbean.

The association also reported that this year’s CARIFTA Games in Grenada drew the largest television and live-stream audience in the event’s history, with viewers across the Caribbean, the United States and Europe.

Separately, NACAC Athletics has assumed control of broadcast rights for its competitions. Officials said the move is intended to expand the reach of CARIFTA and other NACAC meets while opening new revenue streams for the sport.