KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Premier League (JPL) is entering a new era, with Wisynco Group replacing Wray & Nephew as title sponsor in a deal worth $300 million over the next five years.

Wisynco will use its recently launched Legend Beer brand as the face of the country’s top-flight football competition, adding a new dimension to the company’s growing presence in Jamaica’s beverage market.

The agreement brings an end to Wray & Nephew’s latest stint as title sponsor. The company has had two spells at the helm of the competition, first from 2002 to 2007 and again from 2023 until the end of the current arrangement.

Wray & Nephew now gives way to Wisynco, which joins a long list of companies that have invested in the island’s premier football competition.

Craven A was the league’s title sponsor from 1973 to 2002 before Wray & Nephew took over. Cash Plus followed from 2007 to 2008, Digicel from 2008 to 2011, Red Stripe from 2011 to 2020, and Digicel returned from 2020 to 2023 before Wray & Nephew resumed sponsorship.

Wisynco’s entry comes at an interesting time for the company as it expands beyond its traditional portfolio of soft drinks and water into alcoholic beverages.

The company launched Legend Beer in 2025 as part of its move into the brewing industry. In January 2026, Wisynco officially opened its new US$35-million brewery and manufacturing facility at Lakes Pen in St Catherine. The plant gives the company the capacity to produce beers, stouts, malts, and ready-to-drink beverages locally.

Legend Beer will now have a major platform through its association with the JPL, with the five-year partnership expected to give Wisynco significant exposure as it seeks to establish its new brand in the Jamaican market.

Wisynco announced the partnership on its Instagram page with the message, “Powers a new chapter for the Jamaica Premier League.”

The company also highlighted its $300-million commitment to the competition, describing it as “five years of investment in Jamaican football. Stronger League, Brighter Future.”

The sponsorship marks another major investment by a Jamaican company in developing and promoting football, while allowing Wisynco to build its Legend brand around one of the island’s most popular sporting properties.

The new era begins on Sunday, September 6, when the 2026-27 JPL season kicks off with Portmore United entering the campaign as defending champions.

There will also be two new teams in the top-flight. Humble Lion have secured an immediate return to the JPL after being relegated at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Clarendon-based club will be joined by Tru-Juice FC, who will make their historic first appearance in the competition.

Tru-Juice, based in Linstead, St Catherine, secured promotion after defeating Reno FC on penalties in the Jamaica Football Championships semi-final, becoming the first team from Linstead to reach the Premier League.

They will replace Harbour View and Spanish Town Police FC, who were relegated from the JPL.

With a new title sponsor, a new beer brand at the centre of the competition and two fresh faces joining the league, the 2026-27 season promises to usher in a significant new chapter for the Jamaica Premier League.

– Howard Walker