SANTO DOMINGO. The XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 not only mark the return of the premier regional sporting event to the Dominican Republic, but also represent the beginning of the Olympic cycle towards Los Angeles 2028, in a special edition that celebrates the centenary of the competition.

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From July 24 to August 8, more than 6,000 athletes from 37 countries and territories will compete in 40 sports, in what will be the largest participation recorded in the history of the Games.

Among the highlights is the fact that the competition, inaugurated in Mexico City in 1926 with just three participating nations, celebrates one hundred years consolidated as the oldest regional multi-sport event in the world.

The Games will also serve as a qualifying platform for several disciplines of the Lima 2027 Pan American Games, becoming the first major test for athletes aspiring to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

In the historical medal table, Mexico arrives as the most winning country with 13 general titles, followed by Cuba, which has dominated on 11 occasions. Meanwhile, Colombia and Venezuela will seek to consolidate themselves among the main sporting powers of the region.

This edition will also mark the official debut of three disciplines: eSports, skateboarding, and netball, reflecting the sports movement’s commitment to attracting new generations of fans and athletes.

The competitions will take place in multiple venues distributed between Santo Domingo, as the epicenter, and several sub-venues in the North and East regions of the country.

In addition to the high level of competition, the Games will be a showcase to discover new figures in regional sports, many of whom will seek to project themselves toward the major international events of the coming years.

The official mascot, Colí, inspired by the todie, an endemic bird of the island, represents the organization’s commitment to the protection of biodiversity and environmental sustainability, values that accompany the celebration of the centenary of the Central American and Caribbean Games.