News Releases

UWI Games 2026 Set to Bring Regional Student-Athletes Together Across 10 Sports

For Release Upon Receipt - May 13, 2026

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – May 13, 2026 – An estimated 575 athletes and officials, supported by 300 volunteers from 17 contributing countries, will converge for The UWI Games 2026 from May 21–29, 2026, as The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad prepares to revive one of the region’s most anticipated inter-campus sporting traditions, spanning five campuses, 10 sporting disciplines.

 UWI students participate in a “Games in Motion” showcase, demonstrating the various sporting disciplines that will be featured at The UWI Games 2026. The activation took place during The UWI Games 2026 Media Launch hosted at UWI SPEC on April 16, 2026.

  Officially launched on April 16 at the St. Augustine Academy of Sport, the games promise to be a grand celebration of sports and camaraderie. Under the themed “Reunited. Reignited. Ready," athletes will compete in ten disciplines, namely cricket, football, basketball, lawn tennis, swimming, table tennis, hockey, volleyball, netball and track and field, with the Games expected to showcase not only sporting talent, but also the shared purpose that have long defined The UWI student experience.

 Involving students, coaches and administrators across the campuses, the Games have a wider sporting appeal, marking the achievements of UWI graduates who have represented the Caribbean with distinction on the world stage. For instance, UWI Mona graduate Hansle Parchment, gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, and UWI St Augustine graduate Jehue Gordon, gold medalist at the 2013 IAAF World Championships were quoted as role models for their stellar achievements.

 

 The UWI Spirit Team and mascot “Peli the Pelican” come together for a group photo at The UWI Games 2026 Media Launch, hosted at UWI SPEC on April 16, 2026.

  In a pre-recorded video message at the launch, the Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles described the Games as “a celebration of Caribbean athletic greatness and yet another example of how The UWI contributes to the development of regional talent.” Emphasizing the far-reaching positive impact of the Games, he explained that "for generations, these campus games have been the heartbeat of our student experience. They have been a key element in the building of our eight-generation alumni network."

 As the countdown continues, other scheduled events, include a women’s cricket showcase and a badminton exhibition, aimed at building interest and celebrating the return of one of the region’s most beloved university sporting traditions. The games will be streamed live online and details on the schedule can be retrieved from The UWI Games website.

 

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 About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.

 Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 This recognition has also spring boarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.

 The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.

 

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