The Virgilio Travieso Soto Palacio de los Deportes, known as the “Media Naranja,” is set to officially reopen its doors on 3 July 2026. The landmark event will feature a high-stakes matchup between the Dominican Republic and the United States as part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. On 6 July, the DR will play Nicaragua in the same qualifiers at the same renovated venue.
This game carries significant weight following the Dominican Republic’s historic performance in Window 2 of the qualifiers. On 26 February 2026, the Dominican squad stunned the basketball world by defeating the United States 87–79 at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.
In that historic victory, the Team DR’s fourth consecutive road win, Jassel Perez led with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double, supported by veteran center Angel Delgado, the team captain. The upcoming July game in Santo Domingo is expected to be packed with US basketball stars as the United States gets a chance at redemption on Dominican soil, marking only the third time the USA team has visited the country for an official game (previously in 2002 and 2005).
NBA presence and roster outlook
Rafael Uribe, president of the Dominican Basketball Federation (Fedombal), confirmed that the July window is the only period where NBA talent is consistently available for World Cup qualifying. He expects top USA basketball stars to be on the US team. And the same for the DR. Regarding the participation of the nation’s premier star, Uribe was emphatic: “Write it down, Towns is going to play.”
He is working to enlist a strong Dominican team to match the best of the USA. Among the names mentioned are Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks), Andres Feliz (Real Madrid), Jean Montero (Valencia Basket), and others who were not able to play in the California World Cup window. There is speculation regarding emerging star Yaxel Lendeborg joining the team.
The players of the DR team that defeated the USA in February 2026 were not high-ranked stars. It was the B team of the DR. The underdog team was made up by power forward Andersson Mejia, power forward Angel Nuñez, point guard Gelvis Solano, point guard Richard Bautista, shooting guard Jhery Matos, power forward Angel Delgado (team captain), center Joel Soriano, small forward Jassel Perez, shooting guard Anheuri Castillo, point guard Michael Torres, guard Luis Montero, guard Omar Silverio. The coaches and staff were head coach Nestor Garcia, assistant coach David Diaz and accompanying coach Abraham Disla.
Venue renovation and tournament schedule
The renovation of the Palacio de los Deportes, which began in April 2024, represents an investment of approximately RD$500 million (with nearly RD$470 million funded directly by Banreservas). The overhaul ensures the venue meets the international standards required for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, which the facility will host starting 24 July 2026.
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USA Basketball
DR1 News
23 April 2026