Bring your voice. We’ll bring the warmth.
Discover our bid to welcome the world to the Dominican Republic.
US$0 registration for official debaters + one team manager
Big ambitions. Zero registration fee.
Talent should open the door.
Registration costs should not close it.
Our bid starts with a simple ambition: make international schools debating accessible to more countries, schools and young people. Financial barriers can keep emerging debate communities away from the world stage. We want to change that by waiving the registration fee for every official national-team debater and one team manager per delegation.
The financial model combines dedicated government support with paid packages for non-funded accompanying participants. Eligible teams would receive accommodation, meals, official local transport and scheduled social events, so the fee waiver represents a complete tournament package. Airfare, visa-related expenses and personal spending remain separate.
Every detail, in our bid bookUp to 5 official debaters
+ 1 team manager per national delegation.
A bid, with a clear vision. We are a candidate to host WSDC 2028. Dates, venues and arrangements remain proposed until formally confirmed.
500 years of stories.Oceanfront sunsets. A city alive with history. A debate community ready to share its home. Santo Domingo brings a distinctly Dominican spirit to a truly global championship.
A new home for the world’s voices.
An experienced team ready to welcome them.
Our bid brings the warmth of the Dominican Republic together with the event-delivery experience of PLE-RD. From national championships to international gatherings, we have brought students, delegations and institutions together. Now, we want to open that experience to the WSDC community.
Your country. Your voice. Our welcome.
education regions.
One shared ambition.
The Directorate of Student Participation and Leadership brings together academic coordination, participant services, volunteers and logistics. The milestones in our bid show how that experience would support WSDC 2028.
The 15th World Universities Debating Championship in Spanish brought international delegations to Santo Domingo. The bid’s experience includes an international adjudication core, hotel logistics and institutional sponsorship.
The National Debate Championship brings together teams, judges and volunteers from all 18 education regions. The bid describes an average of more than 50 simultaneous debate rooms, with adjudication, tabulation, accommodation and transport coordinated together.
The Ministry of Education’s International Model United Nations gathers more than 1,000 high-school students per edition, including international delegations. Its institutional history brings experience in participant services, academic delivery and event operations.
Dozens of regional debate tournaments in three years have strengthened operations across the country. Together with national events and the preparation of Team Dominican Republic for WSDC Kenya 2026, they connect local talent to the international circuit.
Built on a nationalExperience and institutional reach as described in the official bid. Proposed host arrangements remain subject to confirmation.
Explore our experience in the bid bookA world-class stage. A place to call home.
Space to think. Room to connect.
Discover the campus and all three oceanfront hotels included in our accommodation proposal.
Founded in 1933, Carol Morgan School offers a 15-acre international-school campus in Mirador Sur. The proposal brings debate rounds, training and academic operations together across 98 classrooms and 13 multipurpose spaces. Its Shark Center provides a versatile setting for larger gatherings, supported by technology labs, arts facilities and extensive outdoor areas.
An oceanfront base for the whole delegation.
Set on the Malecón, the Sheraton combines Caribbean views with guest rooms, dining and shared areas for delegations to settle in between rounds. The bid includes it in the official hotel cluster, with hotel-to-venue transport planned as part of the tournament package.
A landmark address with a Dominican welcome.
The Jaragua brings together guest rooms, gardens, a resort-style pool and event spaces in one of Santo Domingo’s best-known hotels. Its Malecón location places it alongside the other proposed delegation hotels. Final room allocations and event arrangements would be confirmed before travel.
Stay connected to the championship.
The Crowne Plaza completes the proposed Malecón hotel cluster, with guest accommodation, dining and meeting spaces close to the other two properties. The bid plans a coordinated accommodation and transport operation so delegations can focus on debate and enjoy their time together.
All three properties form our proposed hotel cluster, with coordinated transport to the debating venue.
Explore the ceremonial and cultural spaces illustrated in our bid.
Explore the bid Proposed Opening CeremonyThe Eduardo Brito National Theatre brings the championship to one of the country’s foremost cultural stages.
Explore the bid Cultural programme proposalA historic Colonial City setting for sharing traditions, performances and the stories of our delegations.
Explore the bid Break & closing programme proposalA shared celebration at the Jaragua’s established performance and events venue.
Photographs: RD bid, pp. 45–47. The programme also lists MIREX and a National Palace Grand Final proposal. Final special-event venue assignments, schedules and permissions remain subject to confirmation.
Your team. Your city. Your journey.
Official tournament transfers are central to our proposal. Public transport adds another way to discover the capital during independent visits.
Reception at Las Américas (SDQ), coordinated hotel-to-venue buses and transport for scheduled official activities form part of the proposed participant package. Pickup windows would be organised across all three Malecón hotels.
STI and PUJ are alternative airports. Onward transfers, extra nights and independent journeys must be confirmed and budgeted separately.
Read the transport proposal ↗
The Metro connects key corridors across Santo Domingo. Use the official integrated transport guide to plan stations and interchanges for your own outings.
Official transport guide ↗
The urban cable-car network connects communities with the wider transit system and offers a different view of the capital. Confirm routes, accessibility and service information before setting off.
Official transport guide ↗Transport photographs: official RD bid, pp. 75–76. Public transport is separate from official tournament shuttles. Networks, fares and timetables may change before July 2028.
Your hotels. Your city. Your discoveries.
Find all three proposed hotels in one place, then explore oceanfront evenings, Dominican flavours and centuries of culture. Select a place to see its actual location on the map.
The map shows real Google Maps locations. Neighbourhood searches show an area rather than a specific entrance. Arrange evening transport with your hotel or delegation; check opening hours and follow delegation safeguarding arrangements. No neighbourhood is guaranteed risk-free. Dining inspiration: Dominican Republic Tourism ↗. Independent outings are separate from the tournament package.
Come for the debate. Leave with a world of stories.
4–14 July 2028
Tentative programme · exact times to be confirmed
Airport welcome, hotel check-in and an informal welcome dinner.
Accreditation, judge and equity briefings, Council meeting and Opening Ceremony.
Rounds 1–4, followed by Cultural Night and a celebration of our countries.
A proposed off day to experience the Dominican Republic.
Rounds 5–8, the break announcement and Break Night.
Partial double octofinals, octofinals, quarterfinals and semifinals.
Grand Final, closing ceremony, awards and farewell celebration.
Hotel check-out and airport transfers.
Global experience. Dominican heart.
Championship experience from around the world. A dedicated team at home. Meet the people bringing academic excellence, participant care and Dominican hospitality to our bid.
The people bringing our shared vision together.
International experience at the heart of the academic programme.
Explore the team by area.
Select any profile for the full biography.
14 profiles · Academic, operational and advisory teams
Different backgrounds. Shared purpose.
A championship built around its people.
One origin. Three ways to arrive.
Start planning your journey to WSDC 2028.
Let’s find your way here.
Compare a planning estimate for Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Santiago.
Estimated budgets appear here immediately. These are not live airline prices; review the method and sources with your results.
Compare what is included. Plan what is personal.
A fair comparison starts with the same travel window and a clear view of each package. Essential costs, optional spending and emergency reserves are shown separately.
We do not charge again for accommodation, official venue transport or meals already covered. A meal whose coverage is unclear is shown as a provisional allowance. Unpriced items stay visible rather than being described as free.
Search 3,245 airports worldwide.
Student residence: a room on the Incheon Global Campus, close to the debating venues. Hotel: a room in an off-campus hotel, with official transport to the competition venue.
The selected registration fee already includes that accommodation. Lower-fee options depend on the proposed sponsorship being secured; this selector compares funding scenarios, not confirmed bookings.
Selected: Student residence · US$875 registration package per person.Arrival dinner + 9 full days with three meals + departure breakfast. This is the website’s comparable travel window, not a confirmed catering count. Adjust the meal gaps below for your actual flights and confirmed programme.
Per person, in USD · Departure: Madrid (MAD). Select your actual departure airport. Estimates update immediately.
Dominican Republic+ unpriced individual items / arrangements
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
No essential meal gap during the covered programme. Extra restaurant visits are optional.
Distance model · not a fare quote
SDQ transfers proposed in the programme. Domestic travel and STI / PUJ onward transfers require a separate budget.
Read this bidMexico+ unpriced individual items / arrangements
Breakfast + competition lunches + selected programme meals
12 meals to confirm in the default window. Some may be supplied during socials or excursions: this is a provisional allowance, not 12 confirmed extra charges.
Mexico bid: Madrid reference
Airport transport plan under development; inclusion and price need confirmation.
Read this bidKorea+ unpriced individual items / arrangements
21 meals stated; scenario breakdown to confirm
Default allowance: 29 planning meals minus 21 stated = 8 meals to confirm. Campus / hotel catering tables and ceremony meals need reconciliation; this is provisional, not eight verified extra charges.
Illustrative distance model · not a quote
ICN arrival coaches scheduled; departure transfer and optional excursion costs need confirmation.
Read this bidOne person. Three destinations. The same budget layers.
| Where your budget goes | Dominican Republic | Mexico | Korea |
|---|---|---|---|
Core & provisionalPriced essentials and provisional allowances | US$1,230 | US$1,911.96 | US$2,447 |
Optional spendingExtra meals and independent outings | US$50.14 | US$56.16 | US$50.50 |
Emergency reserveFunds set aside, rather than an expected charge | US$100 | US$100 | US$100 |
| Planning fundsIncluding optional spending and your reserve | US$1,380.14Per person | US$2,068.12Per person | US$2,597.50Per person |
Dominican RepublicUSDMexicoUSDKoreaUSDUnpriced items remain separate. These planning funds are estimates, not a final quote or an amount payable to organisers.
See what is included, where coverage is partial and what needs confirmation.
| Package item | Dominican RepublicRead source bid | MexicoRead source bid | KoreaRead source bid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Included Included in the official package · three Malecón hotels | Included Included · 10-night group accommodation at Galería Plaza Reforma | Included Included · campus residence or selected hotel scenario |
| Breakfast | Included Included at official hotels | Included Daily breakfast included at the official hotel | Allocation to confirm Breakfast appears daily in the schedule; its allocation within the chosen package needs confirmation |
| Lunch | Included Included from arrival through the final evening | Selected meals Competition-day lunches included; other scheduled meals where provided | Selected meals Narrative states 21 meals overall. Tables list 21 catering services (campus) / 13 (hotel), with ceremony budgets separately |
| Dinner | Included Included from arrival through the final evening | Selected meals Only meals included in programmed activities; full daily dinner coverage is not stated | Selected meals Selected dinners and ceremony meals; rest-day lunch and dinner are explicitly self-funded. Exact meal split needs confirmation |
| Hotel ↔ competition venue | Included Included · coordinated buses | Included Included · daily return transport | Campus / shuttle Campus: walk between residences and venues. Hotel option: official buses included |
| Airport ↔ accommodation | Proposed transfers SDQ reception and scheduled airport transfers proposed; STI / PUJ onward travel is separate | To confirm Airport transport strategy in development; package inclusion and price not confirmed | Proposed transfers ICN arrival coach transfers scheduled; departure transfer inclusion needs confirmation |
| Official socials & excursions | Official programme Scheduled official socials included; independent outings separate | Official programme Official socials and programmed excursions included, including transport to Teotihuacán; meal coverage follows the programme | Official programme Tournament socials included in programming; optional rest-day excursion costs need confirmation |
| Visas & documents | Individual requirements Individual requirements / charges to confirm; fee waivers are not automatic | Individual requirements Individual requirements / charges to confirm | Individual requirements Individual requirements / charges to confirm; mobility support is subject to eligibility |
| Personal travel insurance, baggage & extra nights | Not confirmed Not treated as included without confirmation | Not confirmed Not treated as included without confirmation | Not confirmed Not treated as included without confirmation |
| Snacks, extra restaurant visits & independent travel | Optional spending Optional personal spending | Optional spending Optional personal spending | Optional spending Optional personal spending |
Dominican RepublicRead source bid ↗Included in the official package · three Malecón hotels
Included at official hotels
Included from arrival through the final evening
Included from arrival through the final evening
Included · coordinated buses
SDQ reception and scheduled airport transfers proposed; STI / PUJ onward travel is separate
Scheduled official socials included; independent outings separate
Individual requirements / charges to confirm; fee waivers are not automatic
Not treated as included without confirmation
Optional personal spending
All entries describe candidate proposals. Read the source bids and the meal-coverage explanation below for conditions and unresolved details.
Dominican Republic: the bid explicitly includes hotel breakfast and lunch and dinner from arrival through the final evening. The default essential meal gap is zero. Optional snacks and extra restaurant visits are still budgeted below.
Mexico: daily breakfast and competition-day lunches are included. The default 29-meal window contains 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners. Its schedule shows seven competition-day lunches: 29 − 10 − 7 = 12 meals whose full inclusion is not established by that wording alone. Other programme meals, including meals at activities, may reduce this allowance. No claim is made that every one of these 12 meals must be bought separately.
Korea: the narrative states 21 meals overall, mentioning ceremony meals. The detailed tables instead list 21 catering services for campus accommodation and 13 for hotel accommodation, with celebration budgets separately. Breakfast also appears in the schedule. The precise breakfast / lunch / dinner split, including how hotel breakfast and ceremony meals are counted, needs confirmation. We use the narrative’s 21 as a transparent provisional baseline (29 − 21 = 8 meals to confirm), not eight verified paid meals. Rest-day lunch and dinner are explicitly self-funded. Reduce the allowance when additional included meals are confirmed.
Sources: RD bid, programme meal commitment; Mexico bid, Registration Fee, Tournament Schedule and Transport; Korea bid, pp. 37–38, 64–65, 68, 77 and 84–94.
ICSC daily subsistence allowances cover business-travel lodging, food and incidentals. They are not a national average food bill. For a consistent comparison, this website derives an approximate meals-only reference from the standard city rate, removes lodging and incidentals, then divides by three. The result is our calculation, not a published UN price per meal.
DSA US$243 / day · room share 56%
ICSC source, p. 19 ↗Formula: [(DSA ÷ 1.15) − (DSA × room share)] ÷ 3. ICSC adds 15% of lodging and meal costs for incidentals; the circular also gives the lodging share. Rounded shares make this an approximation. The three-meal division is this website’s assumption. Source: ICSC/CIRC/DSA/613, 1 June 2026, standard city rates; underlying surveys differ in date. These are dated references, not July 2028 forecasts. Korea’s bid separately suggests approximately US$6 per self-funded meal; choose that basis above if preferred. No UN endorsement is implied.
All three are candidate proposals. DR’s US$0 package applies to up to five official debaters and one manager; coaches / non-funded judges use the US$750 reference. Mexico uses US$850 for delegates, coaches and officials; its first observer pays US$850 and additional observers US$1,150 (not modelled here). Korea’s lower prices depend on sponsorship; scholarships or IA support are not automatically deducted for any bid.
Mexico airfare figures are bid city references; Korea’s 20 hub figures come from p. 46. They are undated indicative amounts, not July 2028 offers. Other Mexico / Korea routes use max(US$250, US$200 + US$0.09 × great-circle km), multiplied by 1.25, rounded to US$10. DR uses the reference-calibrated method in the flight planner. Both are rough planning models. Real connections, transit visas, baggage and market fares may differ. Replace estimates with actual quotes.
Blank fields mean not priced, not free. The displayed total adds only entered or modelled items. Visa fees, courier / document expenses, personal travel insurance, baggage, additional nights, unconfirmed transfers and optional excursion charges must be checked individually and added to the relevant budget. An emergency reserve is money set aside, not an expected payment to organisers. Optional meals are additional restaurant visits or snacks, not meals already charged in the essential gap. No bid is guaranteed the lowest final cost from every origin. Package audit checked against the supplied bids on 30 October 2026.
From your first question to your final goodbye.
Individual entry checklists, invitation documents and coordination with MIREX and competent Dominican missions. Processing methods and approval remain with the authorities.
The proposed package includes official hotel-to-venue transport and reception at SDQ. Alternative-airport transfers must be confirmed separately.
Accommodation, meals and scheduled social events form part of the proposed package for eligible participants.
You are part of this bid, too.
A championship is stronger when its community helps shape it. Whether you represent a national delegation, are considering a partnership or simply have an idea, your perspective matters. Ask about our plans, suggest a better participant experience or request a conversation with the team. Every submission receives one private case code. Use it to check your status and read our reply whenever you return.
01Send a suggestion or request a meeting.
02Save your private WSDC case code.
03Return here to follow the team’s response.
A little clarity before the journey.
Explore the proposal, plan your travel and find out how to join the conversation.
Still wondering? Let’s talkThis is the official Dominican Republic candidature for WSDC 2028. We are proposing Santo Domingo as host city and 4–14 July 2028 as the event dates. Host selection, detailed arrangements and the final programme remain subject to confirmation with WSDC Ltd.
