ST. JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda – The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a landmark proposal to establish a Cricket West Indies (CWI) Campus, a world-class integrated cricket and sports tourism development intended to position the nation as the premier high-performance cricket hub in the Americas.
According to Antigua News Room, the decision was endorsed under the leadership of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Sports Minister the Hon. Daryl Matthew, and represents a major strategic investment in sports development, tourism diversification, youth advancement, and economic growth.
The CWI Campus will be developed as a 20-acre fully integrated ecosystem anchored by Cricket West Indies, combining elite cricket training, sports science, tourism experiences, and commercial activity in a single location.
Key components of the approved project include a state-of-the-art High-Performance Centre featuring indoor training nets, advanced analytics, fitness facilities, and a sports science and recovery lab. The project also encompasses a refurbished international cricket venue to be renamed the 4 Knights Oval, and a West Indies Cricket Experience Museum offering immersive, interactive exhibits celebrating the region's cricketing legacy.
The development will also house administrative headquarters for both Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), cementing Antigua and Barbuda's role as the administrative hub of Caribbean cricket. Further components include a remote TV production facility, a full-time Cricket Academy and High School (WICA), a cricket-themed business hotel and player residence, and recreational sports facilities covering padel, pickleball, basketball, and football. The project also includes the deployment of CWI Performance Pods (CWIP) across the region to extend training and data capabilities.
Cabinet recognised the project's alignment with global trends in sports tourism and the expanding sports economy. The development is expected to significantly boost sports tourism arrivals, create new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, enhance the country's international brand as a sports destination, attract foreign direct investment, and generate revenue through data monetization, broadcasting, and events.
The initiative draws on Antigua and Barbuda's year-round outdoor training conditions, established tourism infrastructure, and rich cricketing heritage.
Cabinet also emphasised the project's importance in strengthening the regional cricket pipeline. The Cricket Academy and High School will provide structured academic and athletic development for young cricketers across the Caribbean, with particular focus on those from underserved communities. The integration of sports medicine, wellness, and research facilities is expected to advance athlete care and performance science.
The project will be rolled out in phases, with major components scheduled for completion between 2026 and 2030, subject to ongoing funding and partnership arrangements.
Prime Minister Browne described the Cabinet's approval as a defining moment for the country's development. "This project places Antigua and Barbuda at the center of global cricket development while unlocking new economic opportunities for our people," he said. "It is a bold step toward building a modern, diversified economy rooted in our strengths."
Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with regional and international partners to ensure the successful execution of the project.
