News Releases

UWI Games 2026 Kick Off with Parade, Performances and Flame Lighting

For Release Upon Receipt - May 21, 2026

UWI


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica | Thursday, May 21, 2026—The University of the West Indies (The UWI) commences the UWI Games 2026 with a live Opening Ceremony broadcast on UWItv this Friday, May 22 at 5:30 PM (Jamaica/EST) | 6:30 PM (Eastern Caribbean/AST), bringing the energy of the region’s premier inter-campus sporting event to audiences across the Caribbean and around the world.

 Returning after a hiatus and revived with new energy, the UWI Games bring together more than 575 student athletes and officials from 17 countries across five campuses, celebrating a long-standing tradition since the 1960s.

 The Opening Ceremony kicks off nine days of competition (May 21–29) across 10 sporting disciplines, as campuses unite in a week-long celebration of sport, camaraderie, and Caribbean pride. The 90-minute live presentation from the UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre at the St. Augustine Campus will showcase a vibrant celebration of Caribbean unity and excellence, featuring the Parade of Athletes, cultural performances, official addresses, and the lighting of the UWI Games Flame—signalling the official start of competition.

 Held under the theme “Reunited. Reignited. Ready.”, the Games highlight The UWI’s role in developing regional talent and fostering unity through sport, with alumni including Olympians and world champions emerging from this tradition.

 Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles noted, “The UWI Games are the heartbeat of the UWI student experience. Their return this year is especially significant as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of our Faculty of Sport, which has served as the umbrella for organising sport programmes and advancing academic teaching and research across our university.”

 Viewers can watch live via UWItv’s website, Facebook, and YouTube platforms to experience the moment in real time.

 For more information, including the full Games schedule, updates, and live streaming details, visit the official UWI Games website at www.sta.uwi.edu/uwigames.

 END

  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 springboarded 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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