The 68th edition of the Serie del Caribe, the annual championship that crowns the best winter-league club in Caribbean professional baseball. is underway 1–7 February 2026 at Estadio Panamericano in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. This year’s tournament blends tradition with unique circumstances, including changes to participation and elevated global broadcast coverage.
Participating Countries & Team Selection
The 2026 field includes five teams drawn from the region’s top winter leagues:
- Dominican Republic: Leones del Escogido - champions of the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM).
- Puerto Rico: Cangrejeros de Santurce — champions of Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC).
- Panama: Federales de Chiriquí — designated representative from Panama’s professional circuit (LPBP).
- Mexico (Two Teams):
- Charros de Jalisco – champions of the 2025–26 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico (LAMP).
- Tomateros de Culiacán – LAMP runners-up (Mexico Verde).
Why two Mexican teams? With Venezuela’s withdrawal from the event, previously scheduled to host. The Confederación de Béisbol Profesional del Caribe (CBPC) allotted Mexico two slots (champion + runner-up) when the tournament was relocated to Jalisco.
This adjustment makes the 2026 edition one of the most competitive in recent memory, spotlighting Mexico’s winter-league depth alongside the traditional powerhouses of the Caribbean.
Tournament Format and Bracket
The 2026 Serie del Caribe uses a mixed round-robin + knockout format:
Phase 1 - Round Robin (Feb. 1–5)
All five teams play each other once. Each club earns standings points (win/ loss), with two games per day scheduled across this period.
Example opening slate:
- Feb. 1: México Verde vs. Puerto Rico (13:00 hrs, local)
- Feb. 1: Leones del Escogido vs. México Rojo (19:30 hrs, local)
At the end of round-robin play, the top four teams qualify for the semifinals.
Knockout Stage
- Semifinal 1: Friday, Feb. 6 – 14:00 hrs (UTC-6)
- Semifinal 2: Friday, Feb. 6 – 19:00 hrs
- Championship Final: Saturday, Feb. 7 – 19:00 hrs
This format keeps every game highly consequential, each win not only bolsters standings but can decide advancement to the final weekend.
How to Watch — Global Broadcast & Streaming
For fans around the world, viewing access is broader than ever thanks to multi-platform coverage:
United States
- English: MLB Network will televise every game live throughout the week.
- Spanish: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and Disney+ carry comprehensive coverage.
Mexico
- ESPN and Disney+ provide television and streaming access.
- Select games may also stream via the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico YouTube channel (subscription required).
Puerto Rico & Caribbean Markets
Local broadcast partners (e.g., WAPA Deportes) stream games in Spanish-language packages for fans in island markets.
For international audiences, most networks offer on-demand replays or live streams via connected apps.
Need-to-Know Information for Fans
Whether you’re tuning in from home or heading to Jalisco, here’s what every fan should have on the radar:
1. Venue & Schedule Certainty
All games take place at Estadio Panamericano, known for hosting major events such as the World Baseball Classic and previous Caribbean Series.
Games begin daily at early afternoon and evening local times, with the championship night kicking off Saturday, Feb. 7.
2. Opening Day Highlights
The tournament kicks off with Mexico Verde vs. Puerto Rico, followed by the head-lining Dominican Republic vs. Mexico Rojo nightcap.
3. Roster News
Defending champions Leones del Escogido arrived with a World Baseball Classic build-up-focused roster, leveraging the Caribbean Series as elite competition ahead of March’s global stage.
4. Competitive Implications
With Venezuela absent in 2026 and Mexico fielding two squads, the race for the title is as wide open as it has been in years, providing storylines and breakout performances fans will want to follow closely.
Conclusion
The Serie del Caribe 2026 blends regional tradition with adaptive logistics, delivering a compact but intense week of international club baseball. From the round-robin battles to the final tilt, fans have uninterrupted access via MLB Network, ESPN platforms, and streaming options. With strong contenders from Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, and two Mexican teams, this edition promises high-stakes baseball through Feb. 7 from Zapopan, Jalisco, a must-watch event for the global baseball community.