The host nation for the 2027 CARIFTA Games remains undecided as NACAC continues to await formal government guarantees from the two countries interested in staging the region’s premier junior athletics championships.
President of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), Mike Sands, provided the update during a brief appearance on the latest edition of TalkSports on Saturday. Sands explained that while the desire to host remains high within the Caribbean, the administrative hurdles are currently preventing a final announcement.
According to Sands, both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago have expressed formal interest in hosting the 2027 Games. However, neither national federation has yet secured the essential letter of guarantee from its respective government—a mandatory requirement to ensure the financial and logistical backing of the massive event.
The lack of a confirmed host for 2027 stands in contrast to the successful resolution of the 2026 Games. Sands took a moment to praise Grenada for stepping in to host the 2026 championships, describing it as one of the most exciting and efficiently run editions in recent history.
The letter of government guarantee is the final hurdle in the bidding process. It ensures that the host nation will provide the necessary infrastructure, security, and financial underwriting required by NACAC.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Seeking to bring the games back to the Leeward Islands for the first time since 2015.
Trinidad and Tobago: Boasting a rich history of hosting, most recently in 2005, and looking to leverage its world-class facilities.
Sands indicated that NACAC remains in "constant dialogue" with both federations. While there is no immediate deadline, the association is keen to finalize the venue soon to allow the local organizing committees nearly three years of preparation time.
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