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The Dominican Republic's Presidency published a detailed update after President Luis Abinader led a meeting on preparations for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled for 24 July to 8 August 2026 across multiple provinces. Abinader said the work is progressing with 'important slack' against the timeline and urged Dominicans to join the promotion and participation phase. Organizing committee president Jose Monegro reported that venue remodeling and upgrades are advancing on schedule, alongside logistics for athlete lodging, transport, food, and security, with permanent coordination with the Ministry of Defense. The release says Centro Caribe Sports has already sent three commissions to inspect the work, and that a torch relay will begin in April and visit every province. Monegro also projected record participation: 6,220 athletes from 37 countries, with qualifying already underway and more than 2,000 athletes from 30 nations having secured participation. The update highlights plans to stage some sports outside the National District and mentions an urban park being built on the Malecon area for skateboarding and roller skating.

WJAC reports on Centre County tourism metrics and references the 2026 State Games of America as a newly announced addition to the region’s sports-event pipeline. In its July 9, 2024 local-news story, the station says the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau had set a goal of five million visitors and one billion dollars in visitor spending by the end of 2024 and reported achieving that target early. It highlights the outsized role of sports weekends, including Penn State football, and cites a figure of 87 million in visitor spending attributed to home football games as an example of sports-driven impact. The report also describes the bureau’s interest in expanding to new markets and includes remarks about outreach connected to Penn State’s international student population. Against that tourism backdrop, the State Games mention is presented as part of the continuing strategy to attract major events. WJAC notes that Centre County will host the 2026 State Games of America and that the Olympic-type sports festival is expected to include more than 8,000 athletes. The mention frames the Games as another major driver for hotels, restaurants, and visitor services.

Journal Acces reports that the Jeux du Quebec winter flame would appear during the opening race day of the 41st Coupe des Fondeurs-Laurentides, a cross-country ski event scheduled for January 24, 2026 on trails behind the Centre Notre-Dame in Saint-Jerome. The story frames the stop as part of the provincial flame tour tied to the 2026 winter Jeux du Quebec and notes that the 60th winter Final itself would be held in Blainville from February 27 to March 7. It says the flame would be on site during the first day of competitions and that a short ceremony was planned around 11:30 at the Rue Filion facilities. The article includes a quote from an event director with Fondeurs-Laurentides, who says the cross-country skiing portion of the Jeux du Quebec will take place in Saint-Jerome from February 28 to March 3, over four days of racing. In that context, the piece links a local ski community event to the larger provincial Games.

A City of Blainville news post reports the unveiling of the official logo and full visual identity for the 60th winter Final of the Jeux du Quebec, scheduled in Blainville from February 27 to March 7, 2026. The city describes a press conference meant to mark an early milestone and rally partners from business, schools, sport organizations, associations and community groups. In quotes, Francois Rioux, identified as the organizing committee's general director, says the identity helps add color to the Laurentides landscape in the months leading up to the Games. The article says the creative agency Voyou was tasked with translating the committee's mission into images, and it notes the slogan Briller de mille Jeux. It also reports that the Blainville Final had more than 40 partners at that point, including the MRC de Therese-De Blainville as a major partner. The post further announces a local shopping fundraiser running September 23 to October 22, 2024 on rabaischocs.com, benefiting the organizing committee.

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) announced a strengthened collaboration with Centro Caribe Sports focused on helping Caribbean and Central American National Olympic Committees improve digital communications ahead of the centenary Games in 2026. ANOC said its Secretary General, Gunilla Lindberg, met on 29 January with Centro Caribe Sports president Luis Mejia Oviedo and digital media specialist Juan Guerra. According to the announcement, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop joint projects aligned with the ANOC Digital Accelerator Program, supporting the 37 NOCs in the region. ANOC said plans under discussion include webinars and workshops to enhance digital capabilities while preparing for Santo Domingo 2026. The article also states that a dedicated section will be created on ANOC.tv and that competitions will be broadcast live. Both leaders are quoted: Mejia Oviedo highlighted communication, new challenges, and preserving regional sports legacy, while Lindberg stressed the value of strengthening synergies with continental and regional NOC associations through shared knowledge, expertise, and mutual visibility.

Rai News (TGR Puglia) reports that Costa Crociere has submitted a formal expression of interest to provide two large cruise ships intended to host delegations participating in the Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026. The report explains that the cruise ship option resurfaced after an initial tender for the service attracted no bids, and a subsequent negotiated procedure also ended without any offers. Rai notes that Costa had already declared interest in March, estimating a cost of 26 million euros to supply two ships for twenty days, but the company did not ultimately participate in the later call. According to the report, Costa said some clauses were not sufficiently clear and that the costs were difficult to calculate. Rai adds that the organizing committee and the cruise line are expected to discuss the project with technical staff to verify details, including services and pricing, before any next steps are defined. The story presents the ships as a possible solution for centralized accommodation during the event period.

Japan will consider whether North Korean athletes can enter the country for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya after North Korea expressed an intention to take part, Reuters reported on September 18, 2025. Reuters noted that Japan has banned North Korean citizens from entering since 2016 over nuclear and ballistic missile concerns, and that the two countries have no diplomatic ties. At the same time, Japan has allowed North Korean athletes to visit for international sports events. The report said Kyodo News cited a source familiar with the matter as saying North Korea intended to send about 150 athletes to compete in 17 events at the Games scheduled for September 19 to October 4, 2026. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the organising committee had consulted Japan's sports ministry about participation, and that the government was considering the request through consultations across multiple ministries. Reuters also noted that North Korea competed at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, winning 11 gold medals and 39 medals overall.

HVSEA publishes a volunteer call for the 2026 State Games of America and lays out how individuals and Centre County businesses can participate. The notice identifies the Games as a national, Olympic-style multi-sport event brought by the Keystone State Games, with volunteer opportunities spanning July 24 to August 2. It lists roles such as check-in, event support, scorekeeping, or simply providing encouragement, and it stresses that no experience is needed. For businesses, the post offers a specific incentive: any company that registers at least five volunteers will be acknowledged on the official SGA 2026 volunteer webpage, including a direct link to the business site. The announcement also describes how scheduling will work, stating that after volunteers register, the volunteer coordinator will follow up in January 2026 to coordinate preferred dates, times, and assignment areas. It links readers to an online sign-up form and the event website for more information.

Athletes, and youth coaches and officials, who are taking part in the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games can apply for the BC Games Leadership Bursary. The bursary is aimed at participants under 19 and is intended to recognize a mix of academics, sport involvement, and community leadership across British Columbia. The BC Games Society says applicants should also show meaningful volunteer activity and leadership beyond their own team or club. Sixteen recipients will be chosen in total, with two selected from each BC Games zone, and each award is valued at $500. The bursary is presented during the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games, tying the recognition directly to the Games experience. The announcement also positions the Winter and Summer Games as a development opportunity that builds teamwork, goal setting, friendship, and confidence. Applications are submitted online, and the post lists a deadline of February 9, 2026 for this cycle.

Padel was added to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games programme after the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced on November 17, 2025 that it had included padel as an official sport. In its Kuwait City statement, the OCA linked the decision to a meeting at OCA headquarters between Director General Husain Al Musallam and International Padel Federation (FIP) President Luigi Carraro, held on the sidelines of the inaugural FIP World Cup Pairs. Al Musallam said the OCA was delighted to welcome the FIP and Padel Asia to the OCA family, pointing to padel's growth across the continent and the council's interest in emerging sports. Carraro said the OCA had unanimously decided to recognise padel as an official Asian Games sport, and Padel Asia president Tariq Zainal said inclusion would give athletes a major platform. The OCA added that adopting padel for 2026 is a step toward broader recognition and noted potential links to Olympic ambitions, mentioning Brisbane 2032.