The Caribbean Corporate Games will host an on-island activation weekend in Antigua from August 28 to 30, opening the initiative to families and local communities ahead of the main event in June 2027, Caribbean Corporate Games President Lisa Weston told attendees following Tuesday’s official launch.

Unlike the main Games, which are restricted to participants aged 16 and older, the August weekend will welcome family members and local sporting clubs.

“We’re looking to bring families in, because the reality is if you’re leaving your family behind to go golfing for a weekend, that happens,” Weston said. “They have to know what you’re doing and what you’re up to, and it’s good to have their support as well.”

Weston said the weekend will feature teaser sessions at a handful of selected schools chosen for accessibility, including an event hosted at the Hut, and is designed to engage local teams and volunteers who might not otherwise participate in the Games directly.

While football, beach volleyball and beach cricket is confirmed for the August activation, sports such as sailing are still under discussion and organisers targeting a minimum of 12 sports for the wider programme, with five confirmed for the summer weekend and the remainder open to community suggestion.

On eligibility for the 2027 Games, Weston said participation is open to anyone 16 or older affiliated with a company, charity, non-government organisation or government body, regardless of team size.

“As long as they’re 16 or over, even as an individual, they can join in the Games,” Weston explained, adding that the Caribbean Corporate Games has extended its remit beyond corporate entities to include charities and government organisations “across the whole ambit.”

Weston, during a Q and A session, said the island will stage at least two editions of the Games before other Caribbean nations can bid to host, with candidates required to meet strict criteria around facilities and event management experience.

“So the idea would be to have two in Antigua, so we get the programme running correctly in the right way, because we know what we’re doing here, we can get that done, and then other countries can put in bids to take the Games from there,” Weston said.

She said several regional tourism authorities and sporting bodies have already expressed interest in hosting future editions.

Organisers said the August activation weekend will be followed by a wider launch to international markets in London in October, a charitable foundation launch in February 2027, and further activation events across the United States, United Kingdom and Caribbean in March 2027, with on-island business outreach and stakeholder meetings planned to drive registrations ahead of the inaugural Games.