Saturday, June 6, 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026
CPL 2026: Revamped squads to be unveiled May 15
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has hit the reset button for 2026, unveiling a revamped draft and acquisition framework that paves the way for the return of a Jamaican franchise.
With a fresh three-year contract cycle (2026–2028) beginning, fans won’t have to wait long to see the new-look teams: the CPL has confirmed that all squad selections will be revealed on Friday, May 15.
The headline act of the new cycle is the Jamaica Kingsmen, the league’s seventh franchise. To ensure the newcomers can build a competitive local core, the CPL has granted them a “special draft provision.”
The Kingsmen can claim the first three draft picks, restricted to Jamaican talent, and these picks are exempt from the Right to Match (RMO) option.
To protect the existing six teams, the Kingsmen can poach only one player per franchise during this phase, and any team that loses a player will be compensated with an extra RMO.
The Squad Breakdown
Each of the seven franchises will move forward with a 17-man roster, balanced between regional experience and international star power:
- 9 Senior West Indies players
- 5 Overseas players (signed via direct negotiation, bypassing the draft)
- 3 Breakout Players (the league’s developmental focus)
In a bid to maintain the tournament’s reputation for unearthing gems, the “Breakout Player” rule remains a fixture. Teams are required to field at least one player selected in the final three rounds (15–17) in every starting XI.
The RMO Chess Match
With no general retentions allowed this year—aside from one Breakout Player per existing team—the Right to Match (RMO) will be the primary tool for roster continuity.
| Franchise Type | RMO Allocation | Specifics |
| Existing Teams | 4 | Three for any salary slot; one reserved for a local national in slots 7–17. |
| Jamaica Kingsmen | 1 | Valid for any Jamaican player (restricted to slots 7–17 if they played in 2025). |
| Compensated Teams | +1 | Teams losing a player to the Kingsmen’s initial three picks get an extra “any slot” RMO. |
The draft order for the remaining rounds will follow a reverse-standings format based on the 2025 season to ensure parity. While teams can sign five overseas players directly, the “four-overseas” limit in the matchday XI remains unchanged.
“We have worked closely with the seven franchises and CWI to develop a framework that introduces a seventh team while maintaining competitiveness,” said Michael Hall, CPL’s Tournament Operations Director. “We are confident this expanded tournament will raise the standard even further.” (Modified CPL Press Release)
