Gilbert: Montego Bay positioning itself for big football showpieces

Montego Bay is putting itself in line to host some of football’s biggest events, according to Montego Bay United (MBU) technical director Xavier Gilbert.

Gilbert believes the city’s planned state-of-the-art LED lighting upgrade which could open the door to international matches, training camps and opportunities ahead of a future FIFA Women’s World Cup. The new lights are expected to be in place by October 2026.

“I mean that’s significant from a sporting perspective and a Jamaican perspective. International games can be held there, and we must remember too that Jamaica might be hosting the 2031 Women’s World Cup, so it is good for Montego Bay to put itself in line with Concacaf and FIFA’s requirements,” said Gilbert.

His comments follow the announcement of a partnership between Montego Bay Multi-Sports Development Limited (MBMDL) and Musco Lighting to install a new LED sports-lighting system at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, home of MBU FC.

A release yesterday said that once approved, the stadium is set to become the only Concacaf-approved venue outside of Kingston, opening the western end of the island to top-tier regional and international football and establishing Montego Bay as a genuine second home for the professional game in Jamaica.

For technical director Gilbert, the new LED lights will better acclimatise players to international standards, potentially boosting their performance in high-level competitions.

“The conditions will help players perform at a higher level. When you’re playing in the top championships, the games are played under these lights so even just the mere fact of being acclimatised to those conditions will improve their play for sure,” added Gilbert.

The installation forms part of MBMDL’s wider programme to develop the Montego Bay Sports Complex into a modern, multi-sport destination anchored by a FIFA standard playing surface, upgraded venue infrastructure and commercial amenities designed to serve players, broadcasters, sponsors and the surrounding community.

David Darling, director at Power Lighting & Telecom, said the new system is more energy-efficient and allows for better control, including dimming and remote management.

“This system burns far less energy than what is currently being used. You can manage this technology much better, dim the lights, use half power and actually use a programme to turn on and off the lights from anywhere in the world,” said Darling.

“If there’s an issue with the light, it can be diagnosed. You can log into the control box and actually monitor the light to see what’s going on. So there are a lot of control mechanisms in this kind of lighting technology,” Darling added.

Chairman of MBU, Yoni Epstein, in a statement released, said: “We are proud to partner with a manufacturer of Musco’s calibre. It is a name behind the lights at so many of the world’s great professional stadiums. This project will be like no other in Jamaica. For MBU, it means coming home. Our players and our supporters will once again take to their home stadium, now under professional, broadcast-standard lights worthy of the club and the city.

“When these lights come on, Montego Bay will offer a stage that meets the game’s highest standards, and our region will finally have a venue worthy of the football and the fans. We can’t wait to play at home again under the lights.”