The famed Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, affectionately known as “La Media Naranja” (The Half Orange) for its distinct roof, is set to end its extensive renovation and reopen on a grand stage: a crucial official qualifier game against the United States for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar, Diario Libre reports.
The Dominican national team will christen the newly remodeled arena on 3 July 2026, in a highly anticipated contest against Team USA, a game which falls within the FIBA window that allows for the inclusion of NBA players. For the occasion, the sports palace will be rechristened Arena Banreservas Virgilio Travieso Soto.
The opening is in time for the use of the installation for the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games to be held mostly in Santo Domingo from 24 July to 8 August 2025.
The announcement was made by Rafael Uribe, president of the Dominican Basketball Federation (Fedombal), who told Diario Libre that efforts are underway to ensure the national squad fields its very best talent, including New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, along with Chris Duarte, Andrés Feliz, Jean Montero, and David Jones García.
This summer window is vital for the Dominican team, as it represents the only opportunity within the World Cup and Olympic qualifying cycles for countries to utilize their NBA players.
Three days after the inauguration of the renovated sports arena, on 6 July, the Dominican team will face Nicaragua, concluding the first phase of the qualifying process.
The installation will be the center of the basketball tournament of the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
The extensive overhaul of the Palacio de los Deportes, which began in April 2024, represents an investment of close to RD$500 million, financed directly by the government’s Banco de Reservas (BanReservas). In May, the financial institution had reported the works required an investment of RD$470 million.
The July 2026 match will mark only the third time the US national team has visited the Dominican Republic for an official contest, following appearances in the 2002 Pan American Games and the 2005 FIBA Americas Championship.
Diario Libre reports that the Dominican national team will tip off its World Cup qualifying journey this month. The first game is scheduled for 28 November against Mexico in Zacatecas City. On 1 December, Dominicans will host Mexico in the National Volleyball Palace in Santo Domingo.
Subsequent first-round fixtures include an away game against the US on 26 February (venue TBD) and a road trip to Managua to face Nicaragua on 1 March 2026.
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Diario Libre
6 November 2025