This is an excerpt from the 2026 Sectoral Debate presentation given by Hoon. Olivia Grange Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in the House of Representatives.
The Next Level requires new and updated infrastructure to keep pace with a forever-changing world. In this
regard, the re-development of the National Stadium is an important project.
We’ve completed the feasibility study, we’ve completed the concept design and now we’re into the detailed design stage.
Today I reveal the latest rendering of the new, modern National Stadium.
The new facility will not only enhance the performance of our athletes, but will
significantly change the ways in which we interact with and enjoy sports and
entertainment events at the National Stadium.
We will increase seating capacity to 37,500 with roof coverage and shade for
every seat. There will be improved views from every seat. We will move the seats
closer to the action and improve safety for everyone.
The concert capacity, with people not only in stands, but on the field, will
be 50,000.
Additionally, the new National Stadium will have 30 boxes — two of which will be VIP
boxes. There will be two hospitality lounges, a fan boulevard, and two fan zones. We will
also be putting in meeting accommodation and dedicated media suites with TV studio, broadcast facilities and a venue operations centre.
This is a once in a lifetime redevelopment and so I’ve taken the chance to do as much
as we can as we move to the Next Level. I’m pleased today to announce that we will
also construct two well-needed facilities during this re-development.
The first is a new Sports Hall which will be a flexible multi sport, multi-use, naturally ventilated facility for training and also competition.
We’re also constructing a Throws Area which will facilitate training in the shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin. The Throws Area will incorporate shelters for when athletes are resting and will
provide easy access to the Sports Hall, gym and changing facilities. At the Next
Level, Jamaica will not only dominate the track, but with our sustained support and
facilitation, we intend to also dominate field events.
The new Sports Hall and Throws Area will be adjacent to Stadium East, which will also benefit from upgrades under this re-development programme. We intend for Stadium East to become a 4,000 seat capacity venue with a track and field set-up which will be similar to the main stadium.
Stadium East will continue to be a training venue, a warm-up facility, and the place of choice, especially for development meets and small events.
The new facilities will be Green Guide compliant, as well as FIFA compliant and World Athletics compliant. This is Next Level stuff.
I wish to report that Jamaica has achieved a major milestone in women’s football, having been selected to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, alongside the United States of America, Costa Rica, and Mexico.
This comes at the right time to allow us to host the tournament in our re-developed National
Stadium — a world class facility, duly retrofitted and ready to accommodate the world’s best women football players.