President Luis Abinader to Open 2026 Dominican Republic University Games

Record Turnout Across 23 Higher Education Institutions

More than 2,300 student-athletes representing 23 institutions of higher education across the country are slated to compete in this year’s tournament.

Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz noted that participation has grown by more than 40 percent compared to the 2025 iteration. Last year’s revival of the university games by Miderec drew 1,800 competitors, setting the foundation for this year’s larger turnout. Cruz described the competition as an essential platform for students completing their academic preparation.

Competition Schedule and 16 Featured Sports

The athletic program encompasses a diverse lineup of individual and team sports designed to engage university competitors from varied backgrounds. The 16 contested disciplines include chess, track and field, basketball, baseball, football, futsal, judo, karate, swimming, softball, weightlifting, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, and beach volleyball.

The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) serves as the primary venue for the games, hosting a central share of the competitions. Additional events will take place at the Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña (ISFODOSU), the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), Club Deportivo Naco, Club Calero, and public spaces including Güibia and Eugenio María de Hostos parks.

Institutional Support and Next Steps

Isaac García de la Cruz, president of the Dominican Association of University Rectors, expressed appreciation to Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz for establishing the university games as a core pillar of student development. Ministry officials, including Vice Minister of Sports Juan Vila, have coordinated the technical and logistical details leading up to Friday’s opening ceremony.