Barbados Royals to be called Barbados Tridents again in the CPL

They will also return to Barbados' national colours, with the government of Barbados set to become a "minority co-investor" in the franchise

ESPNcricinfo staff

Published: May 13, 2026, 1:02 PM (3 hrs ago)

Barbados Royals will return to being Barbados Tridents, the name under which they played the first eight seasons of the CPL before the renaming in 2021.

The franchise will also return to Barbados' national colours, with a redesigned blue-and-yellow jersey replacing the pink kit in recognition of the "country's deep cricketing history and enduring national pride". As part of the move, the Barbados government is also set to become a "minority co-investor" in the franchise.

The rebranding will also extend to the women's team, which is one of three teams in the Women's CPL that was launched in 2022.

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The renaming, which is part of the "One Barbados" initiative, is a three-year partnership intended to contribute to what's been described as a "much larger national movement", where the relaunched side will serve as a "year-round national asset", as a statement from the government of Barbados and Royals Sports Group put it.

Royals Sports Group, which took over the franchise in 2021, has agreed in principle to the government becoming a minority co-investor in the franchise, but it is subject to approvals. Majority ownership and day-to-day management of the franchise will remain unchanged, with the team continuing to be under Royals Sports Group.

"As Barbados marks its 60th year of Independence, the One Barbados partnership encapsulates everything that we, as a young nation, have accomplished thus far," Barbados prime minister Mia Amor Mottley said. "The return to the Barbados Tridents reflects our confidence, our pride and our ambition as a nation, as we begin to chart the path towards our next 60 years.

"Cricket has long been a core pillar of our national identity and self-determination. As such, it is incredibly fitting that through this partnership, we will see ourselves represented, in our national colours, with a name that speaks to who we are."

"Relaunching the franchise as the Barbados Tridents, playing in the national colours, is a powerful statement of pride and intent. We remain fully committed to Barbados, to the CPL, and to one clear ambition: sustained success, with both the men's and women's CPL titles brought home to the island"

Manoj Badale, lead owner of Royals Sports Group

As part of the initiative, the franchise will also host a "Pink Promise" charity match during the CPL season to raise funds for charitable causes in Barbados.

"One Barbados is a landmark partnership and, we believe, a first-of-its-kind public-private collaboration in elite franchise cricket," Manoj Badale, lead owner of Royals Sports Group, said. "It reflects our long-term belief in Barbados - not only as a cricketing powerhouse, but as a nation with deep global relevance across sport, tourism, investment and innovation.

"Relaunching the franchise as the Barbados Tridents, playing in the national colours, is a powerful statement of pride and intent. We remain fully committed to Barbados, to the CPL, and to one clear ambition: sustained success, with both the men's and women's CPL titles brought home to the island."

Rovman Powell is the current captain of the Barbados franchise. They finished last on the table in 2025. They have two CPL titles - in 2014 and 2019 - and finished runners-up in 2015 and 2022. The 2026 season is set to begin on August 8, with Barbados Tridents playing their first game against Jamaica Kingsmen on August 11.

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