Cuba is poised to make a comeback to the Caribbean Series in 2026, following a preliminary agreement for its participation, as confirmed by Giuseppe Palmisano, president of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), in statements to ESPN Digital. The island's return is part of the tournament's expansion strategy, aiming to incorporate teams from additional leagues and elevate its competitive level. The upcoming edition will feature eight teams: Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, along with Cuba, Japan Breeze, the KBO League from South Korea, and Italy.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC), Juan Francisco Puello Herrera, emphasized the necessity of ensuring high-quality gameplay by meticulously reviewing the skill level of the players representing the invited teams. "We've already had discussions with Cuba; their baseball is of great interest to us. Of course, Italy is an option we're considering, as well as South Korea and Japan Breeze," Puello Herrera remarked.
Reintegrating Cuba marks a significant milestone in the tournament's history and bolsters its internationalization strategy, with an eye on emerging baseball markets. It's noteworthy that Cuba, the largest of the Antilles, re-entered the competition in 2014 after decades of absence. The nation was a founding member and key player during the event's early years. Champion of the 2015 edition with the Vegueros de Pinar del Río, Cuba has never achieved full member status within the CBPC, which has been a reason for its exclusion in the past five years. Their last appearance was in 2023, in an event notably held in Venezuela.
Currently, Leones del Escogido (Dominican Republic) and Los Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) are gearing up for the grand finale of the 2025 Caribbean Series, scheduled for this Friday at the Nido de las Águilas Stadium in Mexicali. These teams triumphed over Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela) and Indios de Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) in the semifinals, respectively.
Confirmed Venues in Venezuela
Palmisano also confirmed that the next Caribbean Series, set to take place in Venezuela, will be hosted at the Monumental Simón Bolívar Stadium in Caracas, the University Stadium of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), and the Forum of La Guaira.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Return to the Caribbean Series
Why is Cuba returning to the Caribbean Series in 2026?
Cuba is returning as part of the tournament's expansion plan, which aims to include teams from more leagues to enhance the competitive level of the event.
What is the significance of Cuba's participation in the Caribbean Series?
Cuba's participation is significant as it marks a milestone in the tournament's history and supports its strategy for internationalization, targeting new baseball markets.
Which other teams will compete in the 2026 Caribbean Series?
The 2026 Caribbean Series will feature teams from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Japan Breeze, the KBO League from South Korea, and Italy, alongside Cuba.