New York to host 2026 Juan Pablo Duarte Games from August 14 to 23

Santo Domingo.- Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced the 2026 edition of the Juan Pablo Duarte Games, which will bring together more than 2,000 Dominican athletes and children of Dominicans in New York from August 14 to 23.

The event aims to promote sports, strengthen ties between the Dominican Republic and its diaspora in the United States, and encourage cultural and community integration.

This year’s games will be dedicated to José Joaquín Puello, president emeritus for life of the Dominican Olympic Committee, and sprinter Felicia Candelario, in recognition of their distinguished sporting careers and induction into the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame.

Athletes from New York, Rhode Island, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, and Boston will compete in 22 sports, with participation also expected from delegations in Connecticut and New Jersey. Competitors from New York’s Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens will also take part.

The main venue will be George Washington High School in Manhattan, with the program also featuring cultural and artistic activities.

Cruz said the games are being organized through a joint effort involving the Ministry of Sports, the Dominican Consulate in New York, Banreservas, and other supporting institutions.

The 2026 edition marks the second consecutive year the games have been held under Cruz’s administration, following their return in 2025 after several years without the event.