Get ready, baseball fans, because the 2026 Caribbean Series is coming to your screens in a big way! Starting February 1st, MLB Network will broadcast the entire tournament in English, bringing the excitement of international baseball right into your living room. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: this isn’t just any tournament—it’s the 68th edition, featuring powerhouse teams from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, and Puerto Rico, all battling it out at Estadio Panamericano in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. And this is the part most people miss: MLB Network’s coverage, presented by DirecTV, kicks off with a doubleheader on February 1st, starting at 2 p.m. ET with Mexico (Green) vs. Puerto Rico, followed by the Dominican Republic vs. Mexico (Red) at 8:30 p.m. ET. From February 2nd to 6th, you’ll get two live games each day, culminating in the Championship game on February 7th at 8 p.m. ET.
Now, let’s talk about why this matters. MLB Network is no stranger to the Caribbean Series, having previously broadcast the tournament in 2009 and 2010, the first two years of its launch. But what’s controversial here is the exclusivity: this coverage is only available to viewers in the United States, thanks to a multi-year partnership between the Miami Marlins and the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation. This deal, announced in 2023, has sparked debates about accessibility for international fans. Speaking of the Marlins, they’re set to host the Caribbean Series again in 2028 at loanDepot Park, solidifying their role as a hub for global baseball. Their 2024 tournament broke records, including the largest total attendance and highest single-game turnout—a testament to the growing popularity of this event.
Looking back, the 2025 Caribbean Series in Mexicali, Mexico, was nothing short of thrilling. Led by MLB legend Albert Pujols, the Leones del Escogido (Dominican Republic) clinched their fifth title with a nail-biting 1-0 win over the Charros de Jalisco (Mexico), extending the Dominican Republic’s lead to 23 championships in the series’ history. And here’s a fun fact: since its inception in 1949, the Caribbean Series has featured Hall of Famers and MLB All-Stars like Rod Carew, Miguel Cabrera, Roberto Clemente, Edgar Martínez, David Ortiz, and Iván Rodríguez.
But MLB Network’s global reach doesn’t stop there. Over its 17-year history, the network has aired a slew of international events, including the World Baseball Classic in 2009, 2013, and 2017, as well as the MLB Japan All-Star Series, Australian League Championship Series, and more. This raises a thought-provoking question: Is MLB Network doing enough to promote international baseball, or should they expand their coverage to include more regions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this!
So mark your calendars, grab your snacks, and get ready to witness history in the making. The 2026 Caribbean Series promises to be a celebration of baseball’s global appeal, and MLB Network is your front-row seat to all the action.
