NCL GT20 Canada to move to Caribbean for 2026 season

The 2026 edition of GT20 Canada is set to be played in the Caribbean, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, during the October-November window.

The move is to a "deepen cricketing, developmental and commercial ties between Canada and the West Indies", according to a CWI media release, and is specific to the 2026 season, with the tournament scheduled to return to Canada in 2027.

The move will also give Canadian and emerging North American players the "opportunity to compete alongside established Caribbean and international cricketers, while West Indies players will gain greater exposure to the Canadian cricket ecosystem," the release said.

"As the only full member of the ICC in the hemisphere, we believe it is important to forge mutually beneficial relationships with ICC Associate Members across the region, for the health of the game and, indeed, for the continued development of West Indies cricket," Chris Dehring, Cricket West Indies CEO, said.

"Hosting the 2026 tournament in the Caribbean before its return to Canada next year marks the beginning of a partnership that can facilitate the continued development of Canadian cricket while showcasing our region as one of the great cricketing regions of world cricket."

Arvinder Khosa, President of Cricket Canada, said: "NCL GT20 is fundamentally a Canadian tournament, and the Caribbean provides a special home for our 2026 edition. This is about much more than taking a tournament to another country for one season. It is about building a bridge between Canadian and West Indies cricket, connecting players, administrators, fans and commercial partners."

The GT20 Canada, launched in 2018, has had four seasons so far. While the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2025 season did not take place amid restructuring after Cricket Canada awarded a long-term license to National Cricket League (NCL) Canada last year. For 2026, the tournament will feature five teams, down from six, with the franchises also rebranded under new names.

Toronto Nationals won the 2024 edition of the GT20 Canada, beating Montreal Tigers in the final in Ontario.