Lisa Weston, founder of the Caribbean Corporate Games, officially launched the international multi-sport initiative Tuesday at the Hut on Little Jumby Island, envisioning the event as more than a sporting competition — but a platform for collaboration, investment and positive social change across the region.
The inaugural Games are scheduled for June 18 to 20, 2027, and aim to attract more than 1,500 competitors from over 100 organisations worldwide.
Weston said the concept had been more than a year in the making, sparked by a chance interview at the World Travel Market in London last November. She identified Antigua as the natural home for the event's debut.
"Antigua is the perfect first location for the Games given its strategic location within the region, exceptional facilities and its proven expertise in hosting large-scale events," Weston said.
She credited Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Kiz Johnson, Antigua and Barbuda's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Karen-Mae Hill, businessman Devin Joseph, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism Michael Freeland with helping bring the concept to Antigua over the past year.
Freeland, who serves as the event's Game Director, described the Games as a further step in the country's sports tourism strategy. "Every athlete, every executive, every supporter, every family member who travels here contributes directly to our tourism economy," he said.
Freeland noted that sports tourism events create ripple effects beyond competition, generating opportunities for taxi operators, tour guides, vendors and entertainers. He linked the Games to Prime Minister Gaston Browne's broader push to transition Antigua and Barbuda from a tourism industry to a tourism economy, and referenced the new Olympic-sized pool planned for the community field at Potters, expected to be completed next year.
Registration will be open to individuals and teams aged 16 and older affiliated with a business, charity or organisation. Sports confirmed so far include cricket, football, golf, pickleball, basketball, netball, table tennis, e-sports, sailing, open water swimming and running.
A portion of proceeds will benefit the Bright Horizons Foundation, a charitable grant scheme supporting sport, music and education across the Caribbean, whose formal charity status remains pending.
Organisers have announced further launch events planned for London in October, with additional events across the United States, United Kingdom and Caribbean in March 2027.
