Abinader inaugurates renovated Banreservas Arena, eyes future NBA games

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader on Thursday inaugurated the newly renovated Banreservas Virgilio Travieso Soto Arena, unveiling a modernized sports and entertainment venue designed to meet international standards and position the Dominican Republic to host major global events. During the ceremony, Abinader said the arena is among the finest in Central America and the Caribbean and noted it has the conditions necessary to host NBA games, adding that the possibility of bringing the league to the country remains open.

The extensive renovation transformed more than 11,200 square meters of the historic Sports Palace into a multipurpose arena with capacity for 8,270 spectators. Upgrades include a FIBA-certified basketball court, a 360-degree high-definition LED scoreboard, professional sound and lighting systems, upgraded locker rooms and recovery areas, VIP suites, a press room, and modern cooling and accessibility features. Banreservas Executive President Leonardo Aguilera said the project honors Dominican sports history while creating a world-class venue for athletics, concerts, and other large-scale events.

Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz said the renovated arena meets all international requirements for hosting top-level competitions. The facility will make its competitive debut on July 3 and 6, when the Dominican Republic hosts Nicaragua and the United States in FIBA qualifiers for the 2027 Basketball World Cup in Qatar.