NCL GT20 Canada to shift 2026 season to the Caribbean

The tournament for GT20 Canada in 2026 is scheduled to be held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, during the October-November window.

According to a CWI media release, the move is intended to "deepen cricketing, developmental, and commercial ties between Canada and the West Indies." It is only applicable to the 2026 season, with the tournament expected to return to Canada in 2027.

"Opportunity to compete alongside established Caribbean and international cricketers, while West Indies players will gain greater exposure to the Canadian cricket ecosystem," according to the release, the move will also provide Canadian and emerging North American players with that opportunity.

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

"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 the world" can be summarized as "hosting the 2026 tournament in the Caribbean before its return to Canada next year."

"NCL GT20 is fundamentally a Canadian tournament, and the Caribbean provides a special home for our 2026 edition," stated Arvinder Khosa, President of Cricket Canada. This is much more than just moving a tournament for a season to another country. It's about connecting players, officials, fans, and business partners in West Indies cricket with those in Canada.

Since its debut in 2018, the GT20 Canada has been available for four seasons. While the Covid-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the seasons for 2020, 2021, and 2022, the 2025 season was postponed due to restructuring after Cricket Canada granted the National Cricket League (NCL) Canada a long-term license last year. The tournament will have five teams in 2026 instead of six, and the franchises will also be rebranded with new names.

Toronto Nationals defeated Montreal Tigers in the Ontario final to win the GT20 Canada in 2024.