Caribbean Series 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico
The 2026 Caribbean Series quickly found a new home, but it may be without one of its traditional participants.
The tournament will be held from February 1 to 7 at the Pan American Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, Salvador Escobar, the president of the Mexican Pacific Argo League, announced Thursday night during a press conference. However, Venezuela may not be part of the championship.
The Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC) had reported on Monday that Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic would not be able to attend Caracas, Venezuela — the original venue of the championship — due to “external situations beyond their control” and “various logistical factors, beyond the control of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.”
Following the new decision of the Confederation, the 2026 Caribbean Series will feature the participation of the champion teams from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mexico, while Panama will attend as a guest, it was indicated in a statement, “with a view to the incorporation of the champion team from Venezuela.”
If Venezuela decides not to attend, Escobar announced that Mexico would also be represented by a second team, which would be the runner-up of the 2025-2026 LAMP season.
The CBCP had made it clear in its statement on Monday that “it recognizes the position of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), which has reiterated that it has the necessary organizational conditions to hold the event. The Confederation, together with its Member Leagues, recognizes and values the work carried out by the LVBP and its Organizing Committee, as well as the efforts made in planning the 2026 Caribbean Series.”
Guadalajara hosted the Caribbean Series in 2018 and this will be the 18th time that Mexico serves as host. It will be played again with a round-robin format in the first round followed by a semifinal and a final to define the champion.
The 2025 Caribbean Series was also played in Mexico, with the Leones del Esgido of the Dominican Republic winning the title in Mexicali.