On Thursday, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader officially opened the newly updated Banreservas Virgilio Travieso Soto Arena, a transformed multipurpose venue that brings the country one step closer to hosting elite international sporting and entertainment events. The ceremony marked the completion of an extensive overhaul that reimagines the historic former Sports Palace as a modern facility built to global standards.
In his remarks at the inauguration, President Abinader framed the renovated arena as one of the most impressive venues across Central America and the Caribbean. He pointed out that the facility meets every technical requirement needed to host NBA regular season or exhibition games, adding that discussions and planning to bring a major NBA event to the Dominican Republic remain an active possibility moving forward.
The renovation project completely redeveloped more than 11,200 square meters of the original building, turning it into a flexible venue that can accommodate everything from championship basketball tournaments to large-scale concerts. The arena now holds 8,270 spectators, with a suite of upgraded amenities that meet top global regulatory requirements. Key improvements include a FIBA-certified competition basketball court, a full 360-degree high-definition LED scoreboard, professional-grade sound and lighting systems, expanded and updated locker rooms and athlete recovery spaces, exclusive VIP hospitality suites, a fully equipped media press room, modernized climate control infrastructure, and enhanced accessibility features for visitors with disabilities.
Leonardo Aguilera, Executive President of Banreservas, the sponsor and backer of the project, noted that the renovation balances respect for Dominican Republic’s rich athletic heritage with a forward-looking vision for hosting international events. The new arena is designed to serve the country’s athletes and audiences for decades to come, functioning as a hub for both elite sports and cultural entertainment.
Dominican Republic Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz confirmed that the venue checks every box required to host top-tier international competitions. The arena will make its competitive debut in early July, hosting FIBA 2027 Basketball World Cup qualifiers. Dominican Republic will face Nicaragua on July 3 and the United States on July 6 at the new venue, as teams compete for a spot in the 2027 tournament set to be held in Qatar.