BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — THE Nu Vybes International Band has snapped a 20-year Road March drought, claiming the 2025/2026 title with its hit “Home Coming” after one of the closest and most exciting competitions in recent memory.
The victory came at the end of an entertainment-packed Jouvert morning that saw massive crowds of revellers flooding the streets in support of the various bands and troupes. Fittingly, the contest ended in a tie, with Nu Vybes and Kollision Band each amassing 259.85 points after impressing judges.
The result then moved to the first tie-breaker, which awards the title to the band with the highest aggregate score. However, auditors were unable to separate the two, as both bands recorded identical totals.
As a result, a second tie-breaker was applied, requiring judges to vote for the best overall performance. That decision ultimately went in favour of Nu Vybes, securing the long-awaited Road March crown.
Chair of the National Carnival Committee (NCC), Shannon Hawley, addressed clarified the tie-break process while announcing the results.
“Basically, they all had to come together, write down who they wanted, who they thought should win... Now, let me say this again. The roadmatch policy and the criteria is nothing that we came up with. It… was something that the bands came together, and thought that it was the best to implement this [for] roadmatch. It was not the National Carnival Committee solely who implemented this criteria," stated Hawley
Kollision Band, with its selection “TMI,” finished as first runner-up, while Grand Masters’ “Rock Steady” secured second runner-up honours with 256.85 points.
In the troupe competition, Grand Masters Addix claimed the top spot with “Bounce Around,” scoring 145 points. They were followed by Kollison Band’s “Life in Color” with 139 points, and Xtreme Nation’s “Ink and Dutty” with 135 points.
Meanwhile, in the Large Troupe category, Excess Jouvert — which boasted one of the largest turnouts on the road with its “Road Work” theme — captured the top prize with 150 points.
Nu Vybes Band (Road Runners) placed second with 130 points, while Red Devils (Jab Jab) finished third with 124 points.
With Fort Street heavily congested due to the large turnout, officials are now seriously considering relocating Jouvert in future years.
Carnival activities continue.
