The anticipation is building as the Serie del Caribe 2025 gears up to take place from January 31 to February 7, 2025, in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. This prestigious event marks the 67th edition of the tournament and signifies the return of this lively baseball celebration to Mexican soil after 15 years, with the last tournament hosted in 2009. The week-long series will be hosted at the iconic Nido de las Águilas stadium, home to the Águilas de Mexicali of the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico.
The tournament promises to be thrilling, featuring five competitive teams vying for the championship: Cardenales de Lara from Venezuela, Indios de Mayagüez from Puerto Rico, Leones del Escogido representing the Dominican Republic, Charros de Jalisco who will represent Mexico, and, making its historic debut, Japan Breeze from Japan. This year’s lineup not only highlights the tradition of Caribbean baseball but also the growing diversity within the sport.
According to Edgar López Herrera, "La Serie del Caribe 2025 está lista, y se jugará en México," reflecting the excitement around the event. The inclusion of Japan as the guest team is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time an Asian team will participate, adding to the international flair of this competition.
The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes for audiences tuning in from the United States, ensuring no fan has to miss the action. Here is the full schedule for the tournament:
- Friday, January 31: Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic at 3:30 PM CDMX, Puerto Rico vs. Mexico at 10:00 PM CDMX.
- Saturday, February 1: Dominican Republic vs. Japan at 2:50 PM CDMX, Mexico vs. Venezuela at 7:50 PM CDMX.
- Sunday, February 2: Japan vs. Puerto Rico at 2:50 PM CDMX, Dominican Republic vs. Mexico at 8:50 PM CDMX.
- Monday, February 3: Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico at 2:00 PM CDMX, Mexico vs. Japan at 7:00 PM CDMX.
- Tuesday, February 4: Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic at 5:00 PM CDMX, Japan vs. Venezuela at 9:00 PM CDMX.
- Wednesday, February 5: Two semifinals: Semifinal 1 at 4:00 PM CDMX, Semifinal 2 at 9:00 PM CDMX.
- Thursday, February 6: Match for third place at 9:00 PM CDMX.
- Friday, February 7: Final at 9:00 PM CDMX.
The format for this year’s tournament involves each team playing against each other once, yielding four games for each team during the round-robin phase. After this preliminary round, the four teams with the best records will advance to the semifinals, where the winners will compete for the championship title.
This year's championship match will carry more than just pride, as the winners will be awarded a distinctive trophy shaped like a golden baseball held aloft by four columns, embodying the grandeur of Caribbean baseball.
The Serie del Caribe has had a long and storied history since its inception in 1949, showcasing exceptional talents and teams. Historically, Dominican teams have dominated this event, amassing 22 titles. Following closely are Puerto Rico with 16, Mexico with 9, and both Cuba and Venezuela with 8. The event continues to evolve, adapting to the shifting dynamics of regional baseball.
This year's tournament not only highlights the deep-rooted love for baseball across the Caribbean but also serves as evidence of the sport's global reach. Following last year’s edition held in Miami, where Tiburones de La Guaira (Venezuela) clinched the championship, this event returns to its cultural roots.
Finally, the Serie del Caribe 2025 is set to be more than just games; it's about community, celebration, and pride across cultures. Fans from each participating country will gather to cheer their teams, fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship. Organized perfectly, this year's Serie promises unforgettable memories and thrilling moments for players and fans alike.
Fans can look forward to enjoying their beloved sport on the auspicious field of Mexicali, eagerly awaiting the final whistle to see who will reign supreme this time around.