Jamaica Empress Joins WCPL as Fourth Team in 2026

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-06-09

The Women's Caribbean Premier League is getting bigger, and that's great news for women's cricket. The Jamaica Empress will join as the fourth official franchise for the 2026 season, making the competition more exciting than ever. The tournament runs from September 5 to September 17, 2026, at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados. Organizers expanded the league from three teams to four to give more talented female cricketers in the region a shot at glory. The Jamaica Empress will compete against defending champions Barbados Tridents (formerly the Barbados Royals), Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Trinbago Knight Riders. This expansion is a major step forward for women's sports in the Caribbean. ### Massive Investment Powers New Jamaican Franchise The arrival of the Jamaica Empress comes after a huge financial boost from the private sector. Minister of Sport Olivia Grange announced that Kingsmen Sports Enterprise will fund the team. This company is based in the United States and owned by businessman Fawad Sarwar, who's already involved in Caribbean cricket through the CPL. Kingsmen Sports Enterprise has pledged to invest over $3 million into Jamaican cricket overall. From that total, they're dedicating $500,000 every year specifically to run the Jamaica Empress women's team. Meanwhile, the company is also spending $2.75 million annually to operate a professional men's team called the Jamaica Kingsmen. This funding ensures the Jamaica Empress has the resources to compete at the highest level. The ownership group also plans to improve local sporting infrastructure and support grassroots cricket programs to help young girls learn the game. It's not just about winning now; it's about building something lasting. ### New Tournament Format and Rules With four teams now in the league, the WCPL has updated its competition format. During the first stage, the tournament uses a single round-robin system. That means every team plays each of the other three teams exactly once. Simple, right? Teams earn two points for a win and one point if a match is abandoned due to rain. If a team loses, they get zero points. At the end of the group stage, the team with the most points finishes in first place. This top-ranked team gets an automatic spot in the final on September 17. But the season doesn't end there for the other teams. The teams that finish in second and third place play each other in a playoff match. The winner of that match goes to the final to fight for the trophy. So it's crucial for the Jamaica Empress to finish in the top three in their first season. ### A Reimagined Cricket Festival The 2026 season is more than just a series of cricket matches. The league has re-engineered itself to celebrate Caribbean women. Organizers launched a new creative platform called "She's In," which focuses on three core values: empowerment, the will to win, and close community. Every matchday at Kensington Oval will offer a vibrant community experience for families. Pete Russell, the CEO of the WCPL, said the league wants to create clear pathways to success for young girls. Barbados team star Hayley Matthews also embraced the changes. She thinks the new format gives girls something to believe in and a dream to chase. > "This expansion gives young girls in the Caribbean a real shot at seeing themselves on the biggest stage. It's about more than cricket; it's about possibility." - Hayley Matthews ### Future Plans for International Expansion The addition of the Jamaica Empress is just the beginning of the league's growth. Organizers have already shared an ambitious vision for the 2027 season and beyond. They plan to invite teams from outside the Caribbean to join the competition. This expansion will make the WCPL a truly global women's T20 tournament. Adding international teams could bring new talent, fresh rivalries, and bigger audiences. It's an exciting time for women's cricket, and the Jamaica Empress is right at the heart of it. The league is proving that investing in women's sports isn't just good for the game; it's good for communities, for young girls, and for the future.