Panama Major League Baseball 2026: The Roberto Mariano Bula Stadium is Progressing

Panama: The reconstruction work on the Roberto Mariano Bula Stadium, located in the city of Colón, continues to advance steadily and has already reached 85% completion, according to the Panamanian Institute of Sports (Pandeportes).  The project, which is part of the ambitious Colón Sports Renovation project, also meets various criteria required by Major League Baseball (MLB), which significantly raises its standard and international projection. 

The announcement was confirmed by Pandeportes director Miguel Ordoñez, during the press conference launching the 2026 National Youth Baseball Championship, where it was also made official that the renovated Colon coliseum will be the venue for the opening game of the next 2026 National Major Baseball Championship, a fact that returns sporting prominence to the Atlantic province. 

Modern Infrastructure and a Comprehensive Vision

The new Roberto Mariano Bula Stadium boasts top-tier infrastructure. Its main features include commercial spaces, public restrooms, locker rooms for athletes, a clubhouse, a conference room, a medical center, press boxes, state-of-the-art lighting, a giant screen, and advertising banners, along with a modern facade that enhances the stadium’s image.  One of the most striking features is the inclusion of two dormitories with capacity for 32 players each, equipped with 16 cabins per dormitory, a facility designed for long-duration national and international competitions.

MLB-Approved Field

At field level, the stadium will feature a synthetic turf field built to Major League Baseball specifications, making it suitable for local leagues, international matches, and professional baseball. In addition, a significant improvement was made to the drainage system, raising the field surface by 30 centimeters to prevent the recurring flooding that plagued the stadium.

History, Investment and Challenges Overcome

The Roberto Mariano Bula Stadium is an emblematic venue in Colón and was declared a historical monument on August 14, 2002. It is named after Roberto Mariano Bula, a renowned sports leader, poet, and author of the Colón anthem, a key figure in the cultural and sporting identity of the province.  The project has faced multiple delays since 2017, with contract addenda, schedule changes, and budget adjustments, influenced by the increased cost of materials and the effects of the pandemic. The project is being carried out by the company APROCOSA and has an estimated investment of $ 33.7 million, a figure higher than the $ 15-16 million initially projected. 

Capacity and Projection

Once completed, the stadium will have a capacity of 5,000 fans, 102 parking spaces, and comprehensive infrastructure that positions it as one of the most modern venues in the country. Its reopening will mark a turning point for Panamanian baseball, especially for the province of Colón, which is preparing to once again become the epicenter of the national sport.