PROVIDENCE, EBD – Guyana is set to become the epicenter of Caribbean cricket next year, with the nation awarded hosting rights for the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals and the entirety of the 2025 Women’s CPL tournament. The announcement, made by CPL officials in conjunction with the Guyana government, has local fans buzzing in anticipation of a cricket bonanza on home soil. President Dr. Irfaan Ali, a passionate cricket supporter, hailed the news and expressed high hopes for the home team. “Guyana will be hosting CPL 2025 finals,” Ali declared proudly, adding a good-natured rallying cry for the Guyana Amazon Warriors to “make it two in a row” in championship titles. The Amazon Warriors clinched their first CPL trophy in 2023 and came agonizingly close in 2024, and President Ali’s remarks reflect the growing confidence that Guyana’s franchise can regain the crown with home advantage in 2025.
The CPL finals are slated for October 2025 at the National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara – a venue renowned for its carnival-like atmosphere whenever cricket’s in town. This will mark the second time Guyana hosts the CPL’s climactic matches (after a successful stint of hosting playoff matches in recent years), but the first time it will host the grand final under a new one-year agreement. “Guyana has been an amazing partner for CPL,” said league CEO Pete Russell, explaining the decision to bring the final here and praising the Guyanese government’s enthusiastic support. Neighboring Barbados has been confirmed to host the finals in 2026, but officials note that the door remains open for Guyana to continue hosting duties in future years if all goes well. Fans can expect Providence to be packed to capacity, waving the green and gold flags of the Amazon Warriors as they hope to see their team in the final under home lights.
In addition to the men’s tournament finale, Guyana has scored another major coup: the entire 2025 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) will be held in Guyana. The women’s T20 league is scheduled for September 6–17, 2025, with all seven matches – including the final on September 17 – to be played at Providence Stadium. This is a first for Guyana and for the women’s CPL, which previously staged its seasons in St. Kitts (2022) and Trinidad & Tobago (2023–24). Hosting the full women’s tournament is a point of pride for Guyanese officials, who have been pushing to champion women’s cricket and inspire a new generation of female players. The home team, Guyana Amazon Warriors (Women), will compete against the Barbados Royals and Trinbago Knight Riders in a round-robin format before the final. Notably, the Barbados Royals women have dominated the league so far, winning the last two titles in 2023 and 2024, while Guyana’s women’s side has yet to lift the trophy. Warriors captain Shimrote Hetmyer said the prospect of playing every game in front of Guyanese fans is “a huge boost” and vowed the team would use the home support as added motivation to claim their first title. Organizers have scheduled afternoon start times for all matches – taking advantage of Guyana’s typically sunny September weather – and expect strong turnouts as interest in women’s cricket surges.
Local businesses are already gearing up for a windfall from what is shaping up to be a festival-like cricket season. The tourism and hospitality sector anticipate an influx of regional and international visitors during the CPL finals week in 2025, filling hotels and restaurants around Georgetown. “Cricket is big business and big culture here,” notes Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr., pointing to the sellout crowds seen when Guyana hosted playoff matches in recent years. Beyond the economics, there’s a palpable excitement among fans at the chance to see their heroes compete for glory on home turf. Amazon Warriors veteran batter Shimron Hetmyer, who tasted victory in 2023, said there’s “no feeling quite like playing a final at home” and promised the team would do everything to be in that grand finale. The countdown has begun – from the hinterland to the coastline, Guyana is readying itself to welcome the Caribbean cricket family in 2025, united by the beat of soca, the crack of the bat, and the dream of championships on home ground.
