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A new chapter in Jamaican football, the Made4Goal Championship was launched on day one, June 29 of the Made4Goal Jamaica Global Sports Summit, the Caribbean’s first multi-discipline sports summit dedicated entirely to the business, innovation, investment, and future of sport to position Jamaica as the leading sports hub in the Caribbean and the Global South.

The official launch marks one of the summit’s most significant legacy projects and introduces a new national platform designed to identify, showcase, and elevate Jamaica’s emerging football talent.

The inaugural Made4Goal Championship will kick off on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the National Stadium, bringing together many of Jamaica’s most promising Under-23 footballers from clubs across the island alongside elite Under-23 high school players. The championship is designed to create greater visibility and opportunities for local clubs, schools and young athletes while connecting them with scouts, clubs, brands, investors, and football stakeholders.

Launching during the excitement of the FIFA World Cup places Jamaica’s newest football showcase at a time when global attention is fixed on the sport, creating a unique opportunity to celebrate and promote the country’s next generation of talent.

More than a football competition, the Made4Goal Championship has been created to strengthen the football ecosystem. The initiative seeks to build stronger pathways into professional football while encouraging greater commercial investment in youth development.

Alrick McKenzie, Founder of the Made4Goal Championship and Jamaica Global Sports Summit, said the championship represents a long-term commitment to changing the opportunities available to young footballers.

“Jamaica has never lacked talent. What can help the industry are more platforms that consistently connect our young footballers with opportunities. The Made4Goal Championship was created to encourage that. This is about giving players a stage to be seen, giving clubs and schools the recognition they deserve for developing talent, and inspiring a new generation to believe that their dreams are possible. We want this championship to become one of the most anticipated football events in the Caribbean.”

The championship also aims to encourage greater collaboration among schools, football clubs, coaches, sponsors, media, and corporate Jamaica by demonstrating the value of investing in youth football and athlete development.

Sports Analyst and Consultant Simon Preston welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important addition to Jamaica’s football landscape.

“For years, we’ve spoken about creating stronger pathways for young footballers. The Made4Goal Championship puts those conversations into action. It creates another platform where talented players can perform under pressure, gain exposure, and show exactly what Jamaican football has to offer. This is a win not only for the players but for the entire football community.”

Former Jamaica Under-17 Men’s National Team Coach and founder of Genesis Football Academy, Andrew Edwards, who is also leading the championship, believes the championship arrives at a critical moment for youth development.

“Every academy, school, and club works hard to develop players, but development must be matched with opportunity. The Made4Goal Championship provides exactly that. It rewards hard work, gives young players another meaningful platform to compete, and highlights the programmes that continue to produce exceptional football talent across Jamaica.”

The Made4Goal Championship forms part of the broader Made4Goal movement, which seeks to strengthen Jamaica’s sporting future through innovation, education, athlete development, business, and investment.

Following the successful launch at the Jamaica Global Sports Summit, organisers say the championship is intended to become an annual fixture on Jamaica’s sporting calendar, creating sustainable pathways for talented footballers while increasing commercial opportunities for clubs, schools, and the wider football industry.

As Jamaica continues to produce world-class football talent, the Made4Goal Championship aims to ensure that more young players are discovered, more development programmes are recognised, and more dreams are given the opportunity to become reality.

The Made4Goal Champion will take place at the National Stadium, Sunday, July 12, 2026 stating at 7:00pm.