The last Central American and Caribbean Games held in Santo Domingo were in 2002, and they will return in 2026 after more than two decades.
SANTO DOMINGO. – The new Dr. José Joaquín Puello Weightlifting Pavilion, delivered in Parque del Este, will be used by hundreds of athletes in their preparation for the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
The facility has an area of 3,553.93 m² of intervention, including:
- 224.22 m² of competition area
- 575.13 m² of heating zone
- Capacity for 1,202 spectators
- VIP box, changing rooms, offices, doping control area, saunas, cafeteria, rest area and accessible restrooms
- Lighting of 1,500 lux in the competition area
- Electrical, plumbing, data, video surveillance and landscaping systems
The project was delivered by Vice President Raquel Peña and Minister of Housing and Buildings Carlos Bonilla, as part of the program to adapt sports infrastructure for the Games.
The pavilion joins other facilities that have already been renovated, such as the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, the Fencing Pavilion and the Archery Pavilion.
During the event, it was highlighted that more than thirty sports facilities have been delivered since last year, and that the program continues with essential works for the regional event.
After more than two decades, the games return to Santo Domingo
The Dominican capital will host the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, marking the return of this regional event after its last edition in the country in 2002. On that occasion, more than 4,800 athletes from 32 countries competed in 31 disciplines, consolidating Santo Domingo as an organizational benchmark in regional sport.
For the 2026 edition, more than 6,000 athletes from 37 delegations are expected to participate in 40 sports and 56 disciplines, representing significant growth in scale and complexity. The main venues include the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, Parque del Este, and other facilities located in the northern and eastern regions of the country.
As part of the preparations, the government has launched a sports infrastructure modernization program that includes the delivery of more than 30 new or renovated facilities starting in 2024.
Among them is the recently inaugurated Dr. José Joaquín Puello Weightlifting Pavilion, with international competition standards.
In addition, volunteer programs, medical logistics, and inter-institutional coordination have been activated to ensure the event's comprehensive development. With 267 days until the start of the Games, the Dominican Republic is making progress in consolidating a sporting legacy that seeks to strengthen access, organization, and excellence in national sports.
