Related videos:
Cuba will return to the Caribbean Series in 2026, after reaching 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 return of the island is part of the tournament's expansion, which aims to include teams from other leagues and enhance its competitive level.
In this way, next year's edition will feature eight teams: Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, as well as Cuba, Japan Breeze, the KBO League from South Korea, and Italy.
For his part, the commissioner of the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC), Juan Francisco Puello Herrera, emphasized the importance of ensuring a high level of play by carefully reviewing the quality of the players who will represent the invited teams.
"We have already spoken with Cuba; we are very interested in their baseball. Of course, Italy is an option we are considering, and so is South Korea, as well as Japan Breeze," said Puello Herrera.
Cuba's reintegration represents a milestone in the history of the tournament and strengthens its strategy for internationalization, with a focus on emerging baseball markets.
It is worth remembering that the largest of the Antilles, Cuba, competed again in 2014 after being out of a competition in which it was a founding member and main participant during its early stages for decades.
Champion of the event organized in 2015, with the Vegueros de Pinar del Río, Cuba never fulfilled its status as a full member of the CBPC, which has been one of the reasons for its absence in the competition over the past five years. The last participation took place in 2023 at an event held precisely in Venezuela.
Indeed, Leones del Escogido (Dominican Republic) and Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) are preparing for the grand final of the 2025 Caribbean Series, scheduled for this Friday at the Estadio Nido de las Águilas in Mexicali. These teams defeated Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela) and Indios de Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) in the semifinals, respectively.
Confirmed venues in Venezuela
Palmisano also confirmed that the upcoming Caribbean Series, scheduled to take place in Venezuela, will be held at the Simón Bolívar Monumental 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 Baseball Series in 2026
When will Cuba return to the Caribbean Series?
Cuba willReturn to the Caribbean Series in 2026 after reaching a preliminary agreement for its participation in the tournament.
Which countries will participate in the Caribbean Series 2026?
In the 2026 Caribbean Series, teams from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Japan Breeze, the KBO League of South Korea, and Italy will participate.
Where will the Caribbean Series be held in 2026?
The Caribbean Series 2026 will take place in Venezuela, with confirmed venues at the Simón Bolívar Monumental Stadium in Caracas, the University Stadium of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), and the Fórum de La Guaira.
Why has Cuba been absent from recent editions of the Caribbean Series?
Cuba has been absent from recent editions of the Caribbean Series due to economic problems and its lack of full member status in the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC). Additionally, the Cuban baseball league is directly dependent on the government, which has complicated its participation.
Filed under:
