Caesar’s Army head on PM’s stadia ban: The show must go on

The future of Carnival 2026 in Trinidad and Tobago remains uncertain as two major venues—the Hasely Crawford Stadium (HCS) and the Jean Pierre Complex—have been banned from hosting fetes for most of the season. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on November 18 that these venues will only be available for a nine-day window, from the Thursday before Carnival Monday to the Saturday after, with strict operating hours from 12 noon to 10 pm. This follows the earlier decision to prohibit events at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in Tarouba. Persad-Bissessar emphasized the need to balance cultural traditions with community well-being, addressing concerns over noise pollution. The National Carnival Commission has been tasked with improving sound systems to mitigate noise issues. Promoters are now scrambling to find alternative venues, with some events likely to be canceled. Jules Sobion, a prominent event producer, remains optimistic, stressing the importance of delivering a memorable Carnival experience. Meanwhile, Woodbrook residents have expressed support for measures to control noise, advocating for coexistence with disciplined event planning.