CPL Tribute
CPL Grounds to Honour Sir Garfield Sobers with Minute of Applause
The league-wide tribute begins during opening weekend and will give supporters across all eight host territories a chance to remember the West Indies great.
In brief
Every CPL host territory will share in the tribute
- A minute of applause will precede the first match played in each 2026 host territory.
- The tribute will travel across all eight locations on the CPL schedule.
- Further recognition is planned during the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
A minute of applause across the CPL route
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League will hold a minute of applause for Sir Garfield Sobers before the first match in every host territory during the 2026 tournament. The tribute gives supporters at each stop an opportunity to recognise his contribution to West Indies and world cricket.
The observance will begin as the competition moves through its eight-location CPL 2026 schedule, rather than being limited to a single ceremony.
Remembering a defining West Indies career
Sir Garfield died at his home in Saint Michael, Barbados, on 17 July 2026 at the age of 89. Across 93 Tests from 1954 to 1974, he scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78, made 26 centuries and took 235 wickets.
His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan remained Test cricket's highest individual score for 36 years. He also became the first player to hit six sixes in one over in first-class cricket, achieving the feat for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in 1968.
Tribute will continue through finals week
CPL has indicated that the minute of applause will be one part of its season-long recognition of Sir Garfield. Further tributes are planned when the tournament reaches the final at his home ground in Barbados.
The 2026 championship match is scheduled for 20 September at Kensington Oval, where a statue of the legendary all-rounder stands outside the venue.
A new detail in CPL's season tribute
The league had previously confirmed that Sir Garfield would be honoured during its finals programme. The newly announced minute of applause extends that recognition to fans in every country visited by the tournament.
More background on the original finals announcement is available in CPLSeason.com's Sir Garfield Sobers tribute report.