Thompson, Watson, Seville, and More Confirmed for 2025 Racers Grand Prix

The Racers Grand Prix is set to sizzle on June 7 at the National Stadium, featuring a star-studded lineup including Olympic silver medalist Wayne Pinnock, Tia Clayton, American hurdler Masai Russell, and British sprinter Zharnel Hughes

Kishane Thompson, leading the 2025 Racers Grand Prix lineup (Photo: AFP)

The Racers Grand Prix returns for its 7th staging on June 7th, promising a night of explosive action at the National Stadium in Kingston. Headlining the star-studded lineup are Olympic 100m silver medalist Kishane Thompson and reigning Men’s 400m World Champion Antonio Watson, with many more big names to be announced.

Chairman of the Racers Grand Prix organizing committee, Glen Mills, confirmed that alongside Thompson and Watson, confirmed participants include Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell of the USA, world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, and World Championship 400m bronze medalist Sada Williams of Barbados. Jamaican talents such as twin sisters Tia and Tina Clayton, Alana Reid, and Krystal Sloley will also feature on the women's side.

On the men’s side, the lineup includes Great Britain's Zharnel Hughes, Americans Chris Bailey and Trey Cunningham, as well as Jamaican stars Oblique Seville, Wayne Pinnock, high school sensation Gary Card, and the returning Christopher Taylor, among others. Contract negotiations are still ongoing, with more names expected to be revealed soon.

Glen Mills (left) and Devon Blake (second left) accept The Minister Olivia Grange’s (second right) donation towards the hosting of the seventh staging of the world-class meet

Free bleacher entry is available by request on the Racers website from May 1 to May 31. After that, bleacher tickets will cost $1,000. Grandstand tickets will be $5,000 for finish line seats and $3,000 for regular seats. All ticket sales open on May 1.

“The meet has its challenges, and of course, the biggest one is financial,” Mills said during the official press launch at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday. “I am really happy to hear the sponsors expressing their support and the pleasure of being associated with us. Putting on these track meets to get the international athletes involved is very difficult and it takes a lot of money.

“The competition of meets across the world is getting more and more fierce every year, but there is something special about Racers Grand Prix,” Mills stated.

“Right now, the interest is so high that I have the interest to put on three meets with different athletes,” Mills boasted.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, announced $10 million in government support for the Racers Grand Prix. Jamaica Olympic Association President Christopher Samuda also endorsed the event, praising its role in developing local track and field.

Antonio Watson, the 2023 400m World Champion and Racers Track Club standout, first made his mark at the Grand Prix two years ago. After an injury-hit 2024 season, he is set to use this year’s meet to launch his 2025 campaign and defend his world title. “Physically, I am in a good stead, mentally also, way better than I was last year as it relates to my health and also my preparation,” Watson said.

“The meet has its challenges, and of course, the biggest one is financial. utting on these track meets to get the international athletes involved is very difficult and it takes a lot of money.

“I am very focused and very keen on the Grand Prix…it is the event that brought me to the eyes of the world, so I am just trying to stay focused and stay ready,” he continued.