Jamaica’s National Stadium in Kingston could be moving closer to getting long-awaited renovations according to government officials and architects who have shared a glimpse of the next phase of the sporting facility.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange discussed the project in detail to members of the country’s Parliament and House of Representatives on Tuesday with renderings showing the stadium — which opened in 1962 — surrounded by modern upgrades that would transform the area into a your-round destination.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime redevelopment,” Grange told Parliament during the Sectoral Debate session. “I’m taking the opportunity to do as much as we can to move to the next level.”
The upgraded stadium would have room for 37,500 seats, up from the current 35,000 capacity, and would conform to World Athletics and FIFA standards to help lure future bids for major sporting events. For larger showcases, like concerts, the stadium could be expanded to accommodate 50,000 people.
A major change to the stadium would see the inclusion of a curved roof that would cover 90 percent of the seats which will be moved closer to the track and infield and give fans better sight lines and no obstructed views.
On the grounds of the facility a sports museum, better amenities, conference center, 30 premium lounges and suites along would VIP are would also be built.
“As part of our vision for Independence Park, we are preserving and celebrating the iconic West Grandstand while transforming the stadium with enhanced hospitality and fan experiences,” Jonathan Seebacher, project director and principal at Ryder Architecture said. “The new stadium, defined by its striking roof design, will have the flexibility to host world class concerts and major international events.”
Grange did not give cost estimates for the renovation, while a technical design phase ongoing and construction is scheduled for next summer and completion by 2029.
“The first is a new sports hall, which will be a flexible, multi-sport, multi-use, naturally ventilated facility for training and competition,” Grange said. “We’re also constructing a throws area that will facilitate training in the shot put, discus, hammer throw and javelin.”
The stadium has been positioned for redevelopment plans since 2019 when the government commissioned Apec Consultants for a feasibility study of renovations on the site along with Trelawny Stadium, which is mainly used for cricket and seats 10,000.
Since then, efforts to begin work on National Stadium have stalled, with Grange announcing in early 2020 that construction would start the following year and the project being pushed aside during the height of the global COVID pandemic.
But in June 2024, a deal was revived with the Jamaican Sports Ministry and private backers reportedly set to contribute a combined $550 million toward finally getting the renovation on track.
A revamped National Stadium and added facilities would put Jamaica into the running for serious bids to for some of the largest events in the next decade. The 2031 Women’s World Cup is among the first sports competitions the sports ministry is targeting with Jamaica being part of a larger coalition that includes the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica for the tournament.
The venue has routinely hosted the nation’s track and field national championships which also serve as its Olympic trials, the annual Independence Grand Gala, a prep track final, CONCACAF matches and World Cup qualifiers and was the host of the first Grand Slam track showcase last year.
Grange also revealed to Parliament that the current version of the track at the stadium was certified by World Athletics and met the governing body’s venue standard. The track was resurfaced just weeks before the Grand Slam track meet in April 2025.
