The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has announced that the 2026 Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, powered by Q100.7 FM, will be staged at CARIFESTA House in Waterford, St Michael, instead of Kensington Oval.
The competition will still take place on Friday 31 July, with the show beginning at 8pm. The only change is the venue.
According to the NCF, the decision follows confirmation that the State Service of Thanksgiving for Barbados National Hero The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers will be held at Kensington Oval on Wednesday 29 July.
In a statement, the Foundation said the national service requires extensive preparation and post-event work, including security, broadcasting infrastructure, technical production, ceremonial arrangements and venue restoration. The limited turnaround time between the service and the calypso finals would not allow Kensington Oval to be prepared to the required standard for both events.
The NCF said relocating the event was the most practical solution to keep the finals on schedule while ensuring Barbados can honour Sir Garfield with the dignity and respect he deserves. The organisation also acknowledged the inconvenience the late venue change may cause finalists and stakeholders and thanked them for their understanding and cooperation during this significant national occasion.
