Santo Domingo 2026 opening ceremony to feature 1,100 drones and 500 lasers
Santo Domingo.- The opening ceremony of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 promises to be one of the most ambitious productions ever staged in the Dominican Republic, bringing together more than 4,000 participants for a high-tech celebration featuring 1,100 drones, over 500 lasers, and immersive visual effects.
The ceremony will take place at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games, which will welcome more than 6,000 athletes from across the region through August 8. The event carries the theme “100 Years of Union, One Region, One Heart,” celebrating the centennial of the Games while highlighting Dominican culture and Caribbean unity.
According to Alberto Zayas, general producer of the show and director of AZ Films, the production is designed to position the Dominican Republic as a regional leader in hosting world-class events.
Among the night’s biggest attractions will be a synchronized drone display featuring 1,100 aircraft, including 100 pyrotechnic drones, complemented by more than 500 lasers and 30,000 LED wristbands distributed among spectators to create an interactive visual experience.
The entertainment will begin with a 90-minute pre-show, hosted by Miralba Ruiz and Nelfa Núñez, before the official ceremony. More than 200 dancers, fashion performances, and musical appearances by Maffio and Ilegales will take the stage, while Maestro José Antonio Molina will lead the National Symphony Orchestra and the Dominican National Choir.
The creative team includes Waddys Jáquez and Chiqui Haddad as artistic directors, Pablo Pérez as choreographer, Antonio González and Maffio as music producers, Juan Manuel Tejeda as scriptwriter, Omar Martí as set designer, and Mariano Pichardo and Tuto Guerrero as audiovisual directors.
The ceremony will also commemorate the Dominican Republic’s history as host of the regional event, following the 1974 Santo Domingo Games and the 1986 Santiago Games.
Spectators are encouraged to arrive early due to traffic restrictions, security checkpoints, and road closures around the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m., the pre-show will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m.
The Dominican delegation will enter the stadium led by Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and Olympic boxing medalist Cristian Pinales, who will carry the national flag during the opening parade.
