Independence Park is a sports and cultural complex in Kingston, Jamaica built for the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It houses a variety of sports facilities. A statue of Bob Marley marks the entrance to the site. The main sports venue at the complex is the National Stadium.
The National Stadium
The National Stadium is primarily used for football (being the home field of the Jamaica Football Federation) but is also considered the apex of Athletic competition in the West Indies being home to Jamaica’s national athletic team for the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
It was built for the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games, for which it was the main stadium hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field and cycling events. It was also home to the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It holds 35,000 people.
On March 13, 2025, former FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF visited Jamaica for the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Cavalier.
Facilities include:
- a 400m IAAF regulation running track (a warm up track east of the main stadium was recently renovated to create a second world class competition track)
- a 500m concrete velodrome which encircles the running track
- a FIFA regulation football pitch
- a media centre
- 11 private suites and a royal box.
A statue of Olympic gold medallist Don Quarrie guards the entrance to the stadium.
Other statues in the complex include those of Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley and Merlene Ottey.
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