Bermuda’s seniors have been granted free entry to this year’s Cup Match through the generous support of new sponsor Island Construction Services Limited/ICS Tires.

ICS president, Deputy Premier Zane DeSilva, made the announcement on Thursday at a press conference at the company’s Devonshire headquarters attended by Somerset Cricket Club president Richard Scott and St George’s counterpart Neil Paynter.

“On behalf of Island Construction, ICS Tires and our entire team, I am very proud to announce that we are one of the proud sponsors of Cup Match this year,” DeSilva said.

“As a locally owned company that has had business for over 50 years, we believe strongly in giving back to the community that has supported us for so long. That is why we are super excited to offer free entry to all seniors for both days of Cup Match.

“Our seniors have shaped this island, raised our families and laid the foundations we stand on today. This is our way of saying thank you to our treasured seniors.

“Come out, enjoy the cricket, enjoy the culture, enjoy the food and the fellowship with no charge at the gate. We want every senior to feel valued and celebrated during this great Bermuda tradition.

“May the sun shine and may we all remember what truly matters — our community, respect and our Bermudian pride.”

MDeSilva said the sponsorship deal is estimated to be worth around $30,000.

“We’re estimating based on past participation, the worth is probably going to be around $30,000. Tickets are normally $15 for seniors but this year they are free,” he said.

Somerset president Scott is “very grateful” for the kind gesture donation

“I think most of us can attest that if we’ve had a flat tyre we’ve ventured here at some point, so we are very grateful for this opportunity and particularly to honour the seniors,” he said.

“The seniors, as MP DeSilva has said, they’ve paved the way and one of the things that we celebrate over Cup Match is emancipation and Mary Prince. Those two days hold significant historical value and this is another opportunity for us to manifest standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.

“So on behalf of Somerset Cricket Club as we host, what a wonderful gesture to be able to welcome the seniors who may have been living in some tough times but this is an opportunity for them to come and partake and feel like they are a part of the Cup Match experience.

“So again on behalf of Somerset Cricket Club, we’d like to say thank you so very much for this very kind gesture and we would encourage seniors to come on out and enjoy the festivities of Cup Match 2026.”

St George’s president Paynter also thanked sponsors ICS for extending their generosity to the community and seniors.

“We’re looking forward to Cup Match in Somerset and it’s very fitting that this should happen this year for our seniors because as we know some of our seniors have been going through some trying times,” he said.

“This is a small token of ICS’s appreciation for them so we just hope that many of them come out. We hope that everyone comes to Somerset Cricket Club, enjoys themselves and have a great time.”

Cup Match will be held at Somerset Cricket Club on July 30 and 31.