Barbados is a well-known summer destination and their government has implemented a sports-based tourism starting with them hosting the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Cricket is almost like a religion for many Barbadians. Barbados has produced many cricketers that have since made a name for themselves like Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Frank Worrell. Other well-loved sports in Barbados are football basketball, volleyball and rugby. Barbadians also have done well in athletics which makes a lot of sense since it is their traditional sports.

As far as the international stage, Barbados has been participating in the Summer Olympic Games since 1968 under their own flag except in 1980 when they joined the boycott of the Olympic Games led by the United States. The only time that Barbados has won an Olympic medal was through sprinter Obadele Thompson (bronze) in the 100 meter dash at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. However, Barbados did compete as part of the British West Indies Federation in the 1960 Rome Olympics and James Weddeburn who was from Barbados was one of the team for the 4 x 400 meter relay which snatched the bronze. Barbados has never participated in the Winter Olympics mainly because they do not have any athlete and the facilities to train for such an event.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Barbados.

Popular sports of Barbados

Traditional or Regional Sports of Barbados

  • Road Tennis — a version of tennis played on a smaller court with paddles and a low wooden net.

Barbados Sporting Success

  • The only time that Barbados has won an Olympic medal was through sprinter Obadele Thompson (bronze) in the 100 meter dash at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
  • Andrea Blackett won gold in the 400m hurdles at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Kishawna Niles won bronze at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships

Great athletes from Barbados

  • Sir Garfield Sobers (cricket)
  • Sir Frank Worrell (cricket)
  • Obadele Thompson (track and field)
  • Ryan Brathwaite (track and field)
  • Ramon Gittens (track and field)

Barbados Sports trivia

  • Barbados compete in world cricket as part of the West Indies

Barbados at major events

Past sporting events hosted in Barbados

  • 2007 Cricket World Cup hosted by the West Indies
  • 2010 Women's World Boxing Championships in Bridgetown
  • 2024 Cricket T20 World Cup co-hosted in the West Indies (with the USA)
  • 5th Raceday (Sandy Lane Gold Cup): This event will be held on March 7, 2026
  • 9th Raceday (Barbados Guineas): This event will be held on May 2, 2026

Upcoming sporting events in Barbados

  • 13th Raceday (Barbados Derby): This event will be held on July 25, 2026
  • Boxing Day Raceday: This event will be held on December 26, 2026
  • The Rally Show & King of the Hill: This event will be held from May 23-24, 2026
  • BCIC Rally Barbados: This event will be held on May 29-31, 2026
  • Run Barbados Marathon Weekend: This event will be held from December 4th-6th, 2026
  • Caribbean Premier League Cricket 2026: This event will be held in September, 2026
  • The Barbados Legends: This event will be held from April 24-26, 2026

Annual sporting events held in Barbados

  • The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) Rally Championship
  • The Barbados Open Water Festival 2026

Sporting Facilities in Barbados

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