Jamaica Kingsmen officially unveiled as CPL’s newest franchise

The announcement marks a new era for cricket on the island, blending a rich sporting heritage with a bold, fresh identity.

The Kingsmen enter the CPL with a mandate to deliver excellence on the field while reigniting the passion of Jamaican cricket fans. The franchise will be based at the historic Sabina Park in Kingston, which it promises to transform into a fortress of electrifying matchday experiences.

“Jamaica has always been a powerhouse in Caribbean cricket, and this new team represents a bold step forward in building on that legacy,” said Pete Russell, CEO of the Republic Bank CPL. “We are thrilled to introduce the Jamaica Kingsmen to the CPL family. The involvement of an experienced international ownership group further highlights the growing global appeal of the CPL.”

The ownership group, led by US-based businessman Fawad Sarwar, brings significant international pedigree to the Caribbean. The group already owns a franchise by the same name in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). This cross-league ownership is being hailed as a strategic move to strengthen global cricketing ties and expand the Kingsmen brand across two of the world’s premier T20 competitions.

Sarwar expressed enthusiasm for the venture, emphasising a commitment to honouring Jamaica’s storied cricket culture.

“It is an honour to bring the Kingsmen brand to the Caribbean. Jamaica has a rich cricketing heritage and passionate fans, and we are committed to building a team that reflects that pride and competes at the highest level,” Sarwar said.

He added: “We look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the CPL and to creating something truly special for the people of Jamaica in true Tallawah spirit.”

The choice of the name “Kingsmen” is intended to evoke strength, pride and leadership — qualities long synonymous with Jamaica’s influence on regional and international cricket. The franchise aims to capture the “Tallawah spirit”, a nod to the island’s reputation for producing fearless, resilient competitors.

Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, said: “For all its success, there was one essential element missing from the CPL and that has been Jamaica.

“There’s no better place to watch, participate in or talk about sports than Jamaica, and we have set out strategically to provide the best facilities for the best athletes in the world to develop and compete in Jamaica; and for the fans from every part of the world to come to Jamaica, to experience and enjoy the one-of-a-kind energy and vibe that makes us who we are.”

Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, added: “We are excited that Jamaica is brought back into the mix, and we want to give an undertaking that Jamaica will stay in the mix.

“CPL will provide another avenue for engaging our traditional and legacy markets — the United States, Canada and the UK — because the diaspora in those three main countries are not just related to Jamaicans and Caribbean people who love and enjoy cricket, but is also loaded with Indians and Pakistanis and Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis and you name them all who love cricket. And I’ll have a chance with Donovan to market Jamaica to those individuals in that diaspora.”

Jamaica’s absence from the CPL resulted from a breakdown in the partnership between the former franchise ownership and the Jamaican government, culminating in the relocation of the Tallawahs to Antigua ahead of the 2024 season. After two years without a franchise and seven years without hosting matches, the 2026 season marks a full restoration of Jamaica’s place in the tournament.

The return, facilitated by new ownership under Kingsmen Sports Enterprise and renewed government commitment through a public-private partnership, addresses the structural issues that led to the original departure.

The Jamaica Tallawahs were one of the most successful franchises in CPL history. Between 2013 and 2023, the team won three tournament titles — in 2013, 2016 and 2022 — making them the second-most successful team in the competition’s history after the Trinbago Knight Riders. The franchise consistently performed well, finishing outside the top four only twice across 11 seasons.

With four matches scheduled at Sabina Park and the introduction of both men’s and women’s teams, the 2026 CPL season represents a significant milestone for Jamaican cricket.