Red Hills El Clasico returns with bigger stakes
ST ANDREW, Jamaica — The Red Hills El Clasico Corner League competition is set to kick off on June 7 at the Belvedere Sports Complex in Red Hills, St Andrew, with 10 teams competing over 12 weeks for more than $600,000 in cash and prizes.
The community tournament, which runs until August 23, has quickly become one of the area’s premier grassroots football events, attracting talented players and enthusiastic supporters from across the Red Hills and surrounding communities.
Defending champions Gusman will be aiming to retain their title after last year’s successful campaign, while beaten finalists Mosquito Valley will be eager to go one step further and claim the championship.
Joining them in the competition are Belvedere, East Kirkland Heights, Happy Grove, Rock Hall, Walkers Hill, Package, Sterling Castle, and Coopers Hill, all of whom will be seeking to dethrone the reigning champions and secure the coveted title.
Defending champions Gusman
The tournament has also received significant backing from a growing list of sponsors, reflecting its increasing popularity and impact within the community. Sponsors for this year’s staging include the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), Universal Service Fund (USF), Foska Oats, Lucozade Sport, Double 7, Lion Pride, Romeich Entertainment, CB Cabling, and Chicken N Tings.
According to Shane Clarke, manager of the Red Hills United Football Club (RHUFC), the competition serves a purpose beyond football, providing a platform for young players to showcase their abilities while strengthening community ties.
Some spectators enjoying a match at the last staging of the league.
“This event is geared towards bringing out and showing the young talents, and of course, building a vibe in the community as usual,” Clarke told the Observer online.
Clarke noted that the tournament’s success in previous years has helped attract additional corporate support for the 2026 edition.
“This year we have some major sponsors. Some sponsors saw last year’s staging and wanted to be a part of it this year,” he explained.
With expanded sponsorship, increased prize money, and a competitive field of teams, organisers are expecting the tournament to deliver its most exciting season yet.
“It is going to be the best staging yet from what we’re seeing, so far… it’s going to be 12 weeks of intense competition and a nice little vibe up in the place,” Clarke added.
