The Gran Arena del Cibao Dr. Oscar Gobaira, historically known as the Palacio de los Deportes de Santiago, is a multi-use indoor arena located in the center of Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Originally constructed in 1978 and extensively remodeled in 2008 for RD$528,000,000, the 8,768-seat stadium serves as the home court for the Metros de Santiago basketball team and stands as a major northern entertainment hub hosting iconic Latin and local Dominican artists.
In recent years, the arena has faced critical structural challenges stemming from severe roof deterioration. Gaps caused by old ventilation extractors and the theft of protective copper plates have led to major water leaks during heavy rains, repeatedly disrupting events and damaging surrounding areas. An official assessment by a committee of 20 government engineers has ruled out any immediate risk of a total structural collapse.
Description It is located in the center of Santiago de los Caballeros, where it was originally constructed in 1978 under Joaquín Balaguer as the Palacio de los Deportes de Santiago. Then, the facility underwent a massive RD$528,000,000 remodeling project in 2008, resulting in its modern renaming into Gran Arena del Cibao Dr. Oscar Gobaira. The arena has a capacity of 8,768 seats, consisting of 7,000 regular seats, 668 comfortable armchairs and 1,100 luxury seats that are fully reclinable. The capacity of concerts is between 7,000 and 6,670 seats. The arena is the home of Metros de Santiago, a national basketball team.
Deteriorating infrastructure In 2023, reports surfaced that the Gran Arena’s roof was severely deteriorating, with the holes originally designed as hot-air extractors causing major leaks during heavy rains, spilling onto the court and delaying basketball games. After two years, the deterioration report was back, showing severe water leaks had reappeared. The reason is primarily the theft of copper plates designed to prevent water infiltration, as well as the opening originally intended for hot-air extraction. The arena's administration uses event revenue for minor fixes such as repairing bathrooms and painting hallways. In April 2024, Luis Abinader announced in La Semanal a multi-million-dollar intervention funded by Kelvin Cruz to repair the air conditioning system.
After that, a committee of 20 engineers from the Ministry of Sports conducted an official structural assessment. The evaluation determined that the visible damage is caused by corrosion and the detachment of protective outer metal sheets, ruling out any immediate risk of structural collapse.
Concert venue As a concert venue, Aventura was the first act to perform at the venue since it remodelation in 2008. It was the first massive concert in the city in the last 10 years. It has hosted concerts by Don Miguelo, Luis Vargas, Elvis Martinez and DJ Adoni.
Notable events and concerts
Band/Artist Event/tour DateAttendanceAventuraK.O.B TourAugust 29 & 30, 2008Sold OutDaddy YankeeThe Big Boss Tour December 20, 2008Wisin & YandelLos Extraterrestres World TourMarch 13 & 14, 2009Ricardo Arjona5to Piso TourMay 29, 2009Sold OutJulio IglesiasOctober 27, 2009Ivy Queen, Arcangel, Jowell & Randy, Alexis & Fido, Omega, Toño Rosario & VakeraOtoño Music Fest 2009October 31, 2009Gilberto Santa Rosa & Sergio VargasDecember 19, 2009Raymond & MiguelDecember 26, 2009Hector Acosta "El Torito"El Torito MonumentalJune 12, 2010Enanitos VerdesOctober 1, 20104,000David BisbalSin Mirar Atras Tour 22 October 2010KanquiTu Super AmigoNovember 7, 2010Don OmarNovember 27, 2010Sold OutTito el Bambio & Zion & LennoxDecember 4, 2010Servando & Florentino, Bacilos, Jerry Rivera & VakeroTropical Sound ConcertJanuary 11, 2011Silvio RodriguezMarch 19, 2011Prince RoyceApril 9, 2011Sold OutDaddy YankeeMundial TourMay 21, 2011Calle 13Entre los que quieran TourOctober 2, 2011Jesús Adrián Romero y Marcela GándaraDecember 14, 2011Hector Acosta "El Torito"El Torito Pal PuebloSeptember 29, 2012Arcángel, R.K.M & Ken-Y, Zion & Lennox y Plan BHallow Maniac 2012: La Formula de Pina RecordsOctober 27, 2012Tercer CieloDecember 22, 2013Jesús Adrián RomeroSoplando Vida TourDecember 20, 2013Christine D’Clario, Felsy Jones and BarakJuntos & en ArmoniaMarch 22, 2014Hector Acosta "El Torito", Milly Quezada & Johnny VenturaLa Noche Del PuebloOctober 18, 2015Sold OutHoliday Urban FestDecember 23, 2015Miss Dominican Republic PageantAugust 26, 2018El Nene la AmenazzyNovember 16, 20195,000+GrabielMorisoñando TourNovember 29, 2019Don MigueloEl Mejor del BloqueAugust 27, 2022Sold OutA Pesar de Todo FestAugust 17, 2024Dj AdoniSeptember 21, 2024Sold OutLuis Vargas40 Años de TrayectoriaOctubre 19, 2024El AlfaEl Alfa World TourDecember 14, 2024CancelledElvis MartinezThe GOAT of Bachata Tour 2025July 17–18, 2025Sold OutYailin La Mas ViralAugust 30, 20257,000Chicas del CanLas Chicas del Can: El ReencuentroNovember 15, 2025Shadow BlowCapitulosDecember 20, 2025Raulin RodriguezDecember 27, 2025El ProdigioEL REENCUENTRO EL PRODIGIO & LA SUPER BANDASeptember 18 & 19, 2026RawayanaDonde es el After? TourOctober 2 & 3, 2026
Notes
References
External links PDLDDC official page