The 2025 Caribbean Series in Mexicali, Baja California, marks a significant moment for the annual tournament, blending tradition with innovation while providing insight into its potential future. Unlike recent editions, which included teams from emerging baseball nations such as Curaçao, Nicaragua, Panama, and Colombia, this year’s event features a streamlined lineup with five teams.
Amid a dazzling light show, tributes, honors to the flag, and a celebration of Mexican baseball history, the Caribbean Series officially kicked off in Mexicali. The Águilas de Mexicali went all out for the opening ceremony of the second Caribbean baseball festival in the city’s history. Led by Eduardo Ortega, the ceremony featured a massive Mexican flag unfurled by the military, with the national anthem performed by Culiacán-born singer Carolina Ross, marking the beginning of the highly anticipated event.
“I’m nervous but also with a lot of excitement because this is what we’ve all worked for—the entire people of Mexicali, so they can enjoy this great celebration. I’m confident; the team is in great form, playing excellent baseball. The reinforcements are exactly what we needed, and I believe they have what it takes to go far,” said Dio Alberto Murillo, President of Águilas de Mexicali.
The four permanent members of the Caribbean Confederation of Professional Baseball—Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic—return as the core participants. Additionally, Japan is making its debut in the tournament, represented by “Japan Breeze,” a team assembled by former Major League Baseball player Alex Ramírez, composed of players from Japan’s industrial and independent minor leagues.
The tournament follows a round-robin elimination format from Friday through Monday, with the top teams advancing to a semifinal knockout stage. A third-place game and the championship game are scheduled for February 7 at Nido de las Águilas Stadium, home of the Águilas de Mexicali.
In the opening game, host nation Mexico secured a dominant 8-1 victory over Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the Leones del Escogido from the Dominican Republic edged out Venezuela’s Cardenales de Lara with a 2-0 win in a tightly contested matchup. Francisco Mejía played a pivotal role in the Dominican triumph, recording three hits, including a decisive three-run triple that broke open the scoring.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the event, logistical issues during the first day raised concerns. Many restrooms were not functioning, and there was no water in the bathrooms, creating discomfort for attendees. Additionally, accredited media badges had yet to be printed, causing delays and inconvenience for international media who had traveled from different cities to cover the tournament from day one. Given the scale of the event, expectations were high for well-coordinated planning, as this was a prime opportunity for Mexicali to demonstrate its capability to host and manage events of this magnitude.
The 2025 Caribbean Series features a competitive lineup of teams, including the Cardenales de Lara from Venezuela, the Leones del Escogido from the Dominican Republic, Charros de Jalisco, and the Indios de Mayagüez from Puerto Rico. These teams, each representing their respective winter league champions, bring a rich history of success and a strong roster of players as they compete for the prestigious title in Mexicali.
The tournament is being aired in the United States on MLB Network in English, while ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ are providing Spanish-language coverage. Japan Breeze’s participation also brings international attention to the series, further expanding the event’s global reach.