Most Caribbean people love sport whether it’s cricket, football, track and field, rugby, sailing, or a ‘friendly’ game of dominoes!

If you are a sports fan there are plenty of live events that take place on various islands throughout the year which are worth checking out. 

We’ve found five major sporting competitions in the Caribbean that are sure to provide spectators with thrills and excitement.

Sandy Lane Gold Cup (horse racing)

The prestigious Sandy Lane Gold Cup is one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures in the Eastern Caribbean horse racing calendar. Held in March at Barbados’ historic Garrison Savannah, this event has been running since 1982, and features thoroughbred horse trainers and top-class jockeys from all over the world.

Hero World Challenge (golf)

PGA Tour golf comes to the Caribbean in April when the world’s top 18 men compete for a trophy at Albany in the Bahamas. In 2023, Norway’s Viktor Hovland successfully defended his title after his debut victory in 2022, which made him the first back-to-back winner of the Hero World Challenge since Tiger Woods in 2006 and 2007. This is a must-see event for sport and golf fans!

Sol Rally Barbados (car racing)

The Caribbean’s biggest annual motorsport event ‘Sol Rally Barbados’ puts on a thrilling show for car racing fans in June every year. Over 80 international, regional, and local drivers strut their stuff in this unique 20-stage rally event. Spectators get up close and personal with the action as cars zoom through the streets of the island over two days before culminating at Bushy Park, St Philip. 

Concacaf Caribbean Shield (football)

Featuring 16 football clubs from around the region, the Concacaf Caribbean Shield has been going for the past five years. In 2023, the event is taking place in August in St Kitts and Nevis and teams from Aruba, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago are among those taking part. The competition has a round-robin format with four teams in each group. The group winners advance to the semi-finals and the winner automatically qualifies for the Concacaf Champions League.

Caribbean Premier League (cricket)

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL or CPLT20) is an action-packed Twenty20 cricket tournament held annually in the region in August and September. The CPL currently consists of six teams – Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Saint Lucia Kings, and Trinbago Knight Riders. Matches are hosted by the islands involved with the playoffs and the final taking place in Guyana. 

Other sporting events worth mentioning:

Barbados Adventure Race, Barbados Ninja Throwdown, Concacaf Champions League, and the annual CARIFTA Games.