The Dominican Republic is set to host the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games in 2026, marking what is anticipated to be the largest edition of this prestigious regional multi-sport event. President Luis Abinader has declared that the nation will make history through its hosting of the Games, which will bring together over 6,000 athletes competing for a record-breaking 3,244 medals. The government has already allocated RD$315 million to the Dominican Olympic Committee to support athlete training, coaching, and preparatory camps, with high-performance athletes receiving a 100% increase in funding. The event will feature 40 sports, 57 disciplines, and 63 modalities, with 483 events held across eight venues, including the National District, Santo Domingo, Santiago, Bonao, Punta Cana, Cabarete, Baní, and Juan Dolio. Approximately 90% of the venues are expected to be completed by December 2025, with significant investments in facilities such as the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center and Parque del Este. A lasting legacy of the Games will be the ‘Villa Centroamericana y del Caribe,’ a complex of 150 low-cost housing units that will be converted into affordable homes for Dominican families post-event. President Abinader emphasized that the Games will promote inclusion, national unity, and partnerships across various sectors, while also enhancing the Dominican Republic’s identity and regional reputation. This initiative underscores the government’s strategy to leverage major sporting events for urban development, housing solutions, and national branding.
Dominican Republic’s president vows history-making Central American and Caribbean Games 2026
