GREAT BAY--St. Maarten will return to one of the region’s largest sporting stages this month, with Team St. Maarten set to participate in the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The St. Maarten Sports Federation officially announced the country’s participation, describing the return as an important moment for the development and international representation of sports in St. Maarten.
The Games will be held from July 24 to August 8, 2026, bringing together athletes and delegations from across Central America and the Caribbean. Competitions will be staged in 40 sports at venues in Santo Domingo and other areas of the Dominican Republic.
The 2026 edition carries added historical importance because it marks the 100th anniversary of the Central American and Caribbean Games. The first edition was held in Mexico City in 1926 with three participating countries and 269 athletes.
Created to raise the standard of athletic competition in the region, the Games have developed into the oldest regional multi-sport competition recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Participation has expanded considerably over the past century, with athletes representing countries and territories throughout Central America and the Caribbean.
Santo Domingo 2026 will celebrate that history while also providing a platform for established athletes and emerging competitors seeking to advance toward major international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Centro Caribe Sports has described the event as a meeting point between a century of regional sporting history and the future of sport in Central America and the Caribbean.
St. Maarten’s participation gives the country’s athletes an opportunity to compete against some of the region’s strongest competitors while representing the national colors on an important international stage.
The St. Maarten Sports Federation has been engaged in preparations for the Games, including technical and operational coordination with organizers. Federation President Naomi Korstanje represented St. Maarten at the Heads of Mission Seminar in Santo Domingo in March, where participating delegations received information on accreditation, transportation, accommodation, medical services, security, anti-doping requirements and competition logistics.
The federation said Team St. Maarten’s return reflects its commitment to strengthening the country’s sporting structure, supporting athletes and creating greater opportunities for participation at the regional and international levels.
Further information concerning the St. Maarten delegation, participating athletes, sporting disciplines and competition schedule is expected to be released as the opening of the Games approaches.
