KINGSTON, Jamaica — The major upgrading work at Jamaica’s national stadium is projected during construction, to generate $70 billion in economic output, contribute $34 billion to gross domestic product and create approximately 15,000 jobs.

Construction work on the long talked about project is slated to get underway July – August 2027.

This was revealed by the Minister of Sport, Olivia Grange on Friday night, during the meeting of Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee. She shared that the feasibility study and assessment were successfully completed in the last quarter of 2025.

The redeveloped facilities will see an increase of 10,000 seats and will accommodate approximately 50,000 patrons for concerts and events. All sections except the grandstand will be covered by a sweeping roof; the grandstand will maintain its existing roof structure.

Grange told the committee that revenues are expected to grow by 169 per cent, mainly due to expanded commercial capacity and increased event hosting.

Significantly, Government subvention to Independence Park Limited, which manages the facility, will drop by about 70 per cent.

Additionally, a new multi-storey car park is proposed, with the preliminary design expected to provide approximately 1,800 parking spaces.

The nearby Stadium East facility will be refurbished while the national stadium is under reconstruction and will facilitate certain events that currently take place inside the national stadium.

-Lynford Simpson