Five and a half years in the making, the development of the National Sports Complex represents the first significant investment in sporting facilities on the islands, home to approximately 3,500 people, since the construction of the Stanley Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool 30 years ago. 

Alongside offering the local community the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities and exercise programmes, the complex will help athletes to better prepare for international events, chiefly the Commonwealth Games.  

While the Falkland Islands are ineligible to compete at the Olympics, they have competed in nine editions of the Commonwealth Games across six sports, with six athletes taking part in indoor bowls at Glasgow 2026. 

Sadleir was the first Commonwealth Sport representative to visit the islands since President Dame Louise Martin in 2014, and she attended the opening alongside Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Andrew Inkster, chair of the Island Games Association. 

"It's been a real privilege to visit one of our smallest Commonwealth island nations to commemorate the official opening of the National Sports Complex," said Sadleir. "It's a credit to all those who have worked together to fund such a fantastic facility, which will open up further opportunities for future sporting stars." 

Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir with Falkland Island Secretary General Andrew Brownlee and President of the Island Games Andrew Inkster and his wife Kelly

One of the Falkland Islands' up-and-coming athletes, badminton player Ben Carter, was also among those to welcome the new complex. 

"I want to say congratulations on the facilities," said Carter from a training camp in Thailand. "They're looking really good and the new capacity will benefit Falklands sport in producing and inspiring the next generation of our elite athletes. I look forward to seeing it when I get home." 

Baroness Davies of Devonport, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic silver medallist, highlighted the benefits for young people, and said: "Many congratulations on your fantastic new sports complex on the Falkland Islands. What a brilliant thing you've done. Young people need sport more than ever, we need to look after ourselves, we need to have fun, we need to get off our mobile phones. I wish you all the best."  

The National Sports Complex is a joint project between the Falkland Islands Government, the Falkland Islands National Sports Council and private sponsors. It encompasses a floodlit all-weather football and rugby pitch, an indoor centre for archery, bowls and cricket, as well as a 50x52m sports hall to cater for several sports, including ice hockey, table tennis and climbing. 

Mike Summers OBE, Chair of the National Sports Council, added: "While enhancements to sports assets and outcomes has been our primary driver, this development also offers significant opportunities to those who manage the health of the Falklands population, with exercise tailored to all ages and abilities and to all sectors of society. This is a major investment in sport, but most important of all it is an investment in our community."