Bermuda to Host Second Pickleball Caribbean Championships
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Pickleball Association has announced it will host the 2026 Caribbean Championships, marking a significant milestone for the rapidly growing sport in the region. The tournament is set to take place at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium in March, transforming the island’s premier racket sports facility into a hub for international pickleball.
The announcement follows a period of growth for the sport locally, bolstered by Bermuda’s recent success at the Pickleball World Cup. The championships are expected to draw the region's top talent, with the Elite Men’s field featuring representatives from four nations. Meanwhile, the Seniors Division will see an even broader field, with six teams confirmed to compete for regional honours.
For the Bermuda Pickleball Association, hosting the event represents a "homecoming" of sorts after several successful overseas tours. By securing the Caribbean Championships, the island aims to cement its status as a central pillar of the sport’s development within the Atlantic and Caribbean corridor.
"We are thrilled to bring the Caribbean Championships to local soil," said the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport Owen Darrell. "The W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium provides the perfect stage for this level of competition, and we look forward to welcoming our regional rivals to what promises to be a historic week of sport."
The transition of the facility to accommodate pickleball courts has been a key part of the national "pathway" programme, designed to provide athletes with year-round access to high-performance training. As the March start date approaches, the focus for the Bermuda national squad will shift to final team selections and intensive drills to ensure they capitalise on home-court advantage.
Monday, February 16, 2026
Sports Tourism Powers Bermuda’s Growth in 2025 Report
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has released its 2025 Year-End Report, revealing that sports and maritime tourism remain the heavy hitters driving the island's economic recovery. High-value events and international partnerships have reinforced Bermuda’s premium positioning, attracting visitors who stay longer and spend more on local shores.
Signature events such as the Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge, the Bermuda Bridge Invitational, and the 74th Annual Goodwill Golf Tournament were hailed for boosting international visibility while generating significant incremental visitation.
Leading the charge in the sports vertical is the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Recent analysis confirms that the 2024 PGA TOUR event generated $14.1 million in direct spending across the local economy, demonstrating a measurable return on the island's sports tourism investment.
This impact is part of a growing trend; the 2023 tournament contributed a total of $17.7 million when indirect and induced effects were considered. To secure this economic pipeline, the BTA has inked a multi-year extension with the PGA TOUR, valued at over $17.3 million, to keep the championship at Port Royal through at least 2028.
Tourism officials are already eyeing 2026 as a potential record-breaker for the maritime and sports sectors. The calendar is anchored by the return of "pinnacle" events, including:
Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix: Scheduled for May 9th–10th, 2026, the event is expected to draw thousands of attendees and millions of global viewers. The Newport Bermuda Yacht Race: Returning for its biennial "Thrash to the Onion Patch" on June 19th, 2026. The Butterfield Bermuda Championship: Continuing its annual residency as a staple of the PGA TOUR’s fall schedule.
Acting CEO Erin Wright noted that the organization's success in 2025 was defined by agility in the face of global uncertainty. "We responded by diversifying into the Canadian market and supporting the growth of the superyacht segment," Wright stated, highlighting a mid-year surge that saw superyacht visits increase by 17%.
Looking forward, the BTA will maintain its focus on driving year-round visitation, with an emphasis on the non-summer months and ensuring all tools and initiatives are optimized for maximum value and measurable return on investment.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Islandstats.com Football Show Live at 6 pm
IslandStats.com
The "Magic of the Cup" was alive and well across Bermuda this weekend as the FA Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals delivered a series of breathtaking finishes, late escapes, and tactical masterclasses. From the extra-time heroics at Bernard Park to the extra-time madness at the Devonshire Recreation Club, the road to the National Sports Centre has never looked more dramatic.
Tonight, the IslandStats Football Show panel will break down every goal and every controversial moment live at 6:00 pm. The panel will be joined by coaches and players from the victorious semi-finalists to discuss a weekend that saw the island's "Big Three" survive significant scares.
The weekend’s headline act came on Friday night as the PHC Zebras pulled off a stunning "great escape" against the Boulevard Blazers. In a match that featured four goals in a chaotic fifteen-minute period of stoppage time and extra time, Jaylon Bather emerged as the hero, scoring twice to secure a 4–3 victory after the Blazers had twice looked certain to advance.
Not to be outdone, the cup holders North Village Rams scored twice in stoppage time to defeat a stubborn Paget Lions side. With the score 1–1, Jai Bean took matters into his own hands, completing a clinical hat-trick in stoppage time to ensure the Rams’ title defence remains on track with a 3–1 win.
While the heavyweights scrambled, the St. George’s Colts produced arguably the most disciplined performance of the round. A 2–0 victory over the Devonshire Cougars at the Wellington Oval was built on defensive solidity and clinical finishing from Blaiz Hall and Leroy Lewis, marking the Colts as genuine contenders for the trophy.
The semi-final line-up was completed at the Police Field, where the Devonshire Colts edged out X-Road’s 1–0. It was a match of fine margins, decided in the 86th minute by Charmal Henry, whose late strike broke the deadlock and sent the home supporters into raptures.
The IslandStats panel will dive deep into the tactical shifts that defined these matches and look ahead to the highly anticipated semi-final draw.
Friday, February 13, 2026
Bermuda’s FIFA Quartet Honoured as Elite Status Retained
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s standing in the international footballing community has been reaffirmed after the island’s four elite officials were officially presented with their FIFA badges for 2026 at the Bermuda Football Association Referees Committee 2026 FIFA Badge Presentation..
In a ceremony held this evening, Amaury Majors, Clinton Hayward, Stephen Maybury, and Natasha Trott received their credentials from the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport, Owen Darrell, alongside Bermuda Football Association (BFA) President Mark Wade.
The presentation follows a rigorous year of assessment, during which saw them meet the stringent physical and technical requirements of the FIFA referee and assistant referee programmes.
The retention of their FIFA status comes on the back of a 2025 season that saw Bermuda’s officials feature prominently in high-stakes regional and international fixtures.
Majors, who made his debut as a FIFA referee in 2025, enjoyed a breakout year on the CONCACAF circuit. His accomplishments included officiating in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup and the CONCACAF Boys’ Under-15 Championships in Trinidad, where he earned plaudits for his handling of fixtures such as Belize vs Curaçao. Majors also led the officiating team for the international friendly between the Cayman Islands and Anguilla.
Hayward continued to represent the island at the highest level of the game, notably serving as an Assistant Referee for a high-profile international friendly between the USA and South Korea.
Meanwhile, Maybury further established his reputation as a reliable international assistant, joining Majors for the Cayman Islands vs Anguilla clash, while Natasha Trott maintained her status as one of the region's leading female officials.
Trott continues her rehab from an injury, but is still recognized by FIFA.
Crenstant Williams, the BFA's Head of Referees, the driving force behind the referee was quick to praise the quartet for their dedication to the craft.
“Consistency at this level is incredibly difficult to maintain,” Williams noted, highlighting that the officials must pass regular fitness tests and theoretical exams to remain on the international list. “Meeting these requirements for yet another year is a testament to their professionalism and their commitment to representing Bermuda on the world stage.”
The continued presence of four officials on the FIFA list ensures that Bermuda remains a key player in the development of officiating standards across the Caribbean and the wider CONCACAF region.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
A Walk Down Memory Lane: Tributes - Danny Seymour Sr. 7:00 pm
IslandStats.com
Islandstats.com is set to hosts a special tribute to the late Danny Seymour Sr., a man whose legacy remains etched into the fabric of the island's footballing history.
Hosted by Earl Basden, the program at 7:00 pm on Wednesday Night February 11th will feature a dedicated segment titled “A Walk Down Memory Lane,” led by legendary local figure Dennis Brown. The broadcast aims to celebrate not just the athlete, but the character of a man who influenced generations of players both on and off the pitch.
The tribute will serve as a high-profile reunion of some of the most respected names in Bermudian sport. Joining Basden and Brown to share their personal reflections and locker-room stories are several of Seymour’s former teammates, including:
Johnny Nusum Eric Levin David Frost Jack Castle
These icons of the local game are expected to provide an intimate look at Seymour’s competitive spirit and his role during a golden era of Bermudian football.
Danny Seymour Sr. was widely regarded as a cornerstone of the teams he represented. His reputation for "tenacity and sportsmanship" has been a recurring theme in the buildup to the broadcast.
For host Dennis Brown, the show is more than just a trip through the archives; it is a necessary acknowledgment of the foundations laid by pioneers like Seymour. "By sharing these best practices and memories, we are uniting to elevate the respect for our sporting history," Brown noted in a recent preview of the segment.
The special tribute broadcast will be available via Islandstats.com, beginning at 7 pm continuing the outlet's commitment to documenting the rich tapestry of Bermuda’s athletic achievements.
As the island prepares to honour one of its own, the "Memory Lane" segment promises to be an emotional and essential watch for fans of all ages, ensuring that the name Danny Seymour Sr. continues to inspire future stars at the National Sports Centre and beyond.
