The "One Commonwealth, One Team" exhibition matches in Antigua and Barbuda will bring together heads of government and emerging young cricket talent to accelerate partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth.
Cricket legend and CHOGM 2026 Envoy Sir Vivian Richards took the bat today at Marlborough House for the launch of the "One Commonwealth, One Team" Exhibition Cricket Match Series, which will be held in Antigua and Barbuda in November. The series will be played alongside the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and will bring leaders and the next generation of Commonwealth cricket talent together in a celebration of sport, partnership and shared purpose.
The series takes place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda on 1 November. It underscores the CHOGM 2026 theme, Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth, through one of the Commonwealth's most cherished shared traditions.
The series is supported by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth Secretariat, alongside the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), Commonwealth Sport, the West Indies Cricket Association and the Khalili Foundation.
Inspired by the legacy of cricket legend, national hero and CHOGM 2026 Envoy Sir Vivian Richards, the series uses the power of sport to celebrate the values that connect the Commonwealth: partnership, friendship, leadership, inclusion and shared purpose.
The series features two fixtures. A friendly T5 match between Commonwealth heads of government will see Caribbean leaders face counterparts from the wider Commonwealth. That will be followed by the Commonwealth Future Stars Under-23 T10 Match, spotlighting emerging young talent. Together, the matches unite leaders, young people and communities while providing an international platform to showcase the region and the wider Commonwealth.
Minister E.P. Chet Greene, the Chair of the CHOGM Task Force 2026, said:
“Antigua and Barbuda is proud to welcome the Commonwealth family to our shores for CHOGM 2026. Cricket is part of our heritage and our identity, and this event captures the spirit of friendship, partnership and shared purpose at the heart of the Commonwealth.
“Bringing leaders together alongside young people through cricket celebrates our common bonds while looking to the future. We want CHOGM 2026 to create lasting connections and opportunities for our people, and ‘One Commonwealth, One Team’ is a powerful expression of that ambition.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, said:
"Cricket is one of the great threads running through our Commonwealth. From local communities to the international stage, cricket has long connected people across the Commonwealth.
"There could be no better opportunity for celebrating this heritage than the ‘One Commonwealth, One Team’ Exhibition Cricket Match Series in Antigua and Barbuda, or a more fitting inspiration than Sir Vivian Richards. His courage, flair, and leadership have inspired generations and will continue to inspire more. As leaders gather for CHOGM, ‘One Commonwealth, One Team’ will capture the essential truth that the Commonwealth is strongest when we combine our different talents and work towards a shared purpose. That is the spirit in which we must face the challenges of the world together, building the partnerships and unlocking the investment needed to deliver greater opportunity and prosperity for all."
Sir Vivian Richards, 2026 CHOGM Envoy said:
“Cricket has always been much more than a game across the Commonwealth. It is a shared language that brings people together across nations and generations. I am delighted that, as we welcome the Commonwealth to Antigua and Barbuda, cricket will help bring the spirit of CHOGM 2026 to life – celebrating friendship and teamwork and creating opportunities to work together as one team.”
Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, M.V.O., Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, said:
“Sport has a remarkable ability to bring people together, inspire ambition and turn shared values into collective action. Cricket is woven into the fabric of the Commonwealth, making it a powerful platform to demonstrate what partnership can achieve.
“The challenges and opportunities facing our economies, communities and planet cannot be addressed in isolation – we need governments, business, sport and civil society working together to turn ambition into action. We are delighted to support this special moment at CHOGM 2026 and to work with our Commonwealth partners to show how sport can contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.”
Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport said:
“Sport has a unique power to connect people and communities across borders and generations. The ‘One Commonwealth, One Team’ Exhibition Cricket Match Series shows how sport can bring the Commonwealth together, while celebrating young people and strengthening partnerships.
“As we look towards CHOGM 2026, we want the contribution of sport to extend far beyond competition. Alongside this special celebration of cricket, we will host the inaugural Commonwealth Sport Summit, bringing together leaders from across the Commonwealth to explore how sport can address shared priorities, build partnerships and inspire practical action.”
Source: thecommonwealth.org — Read the original article
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