Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has voiced his deep appreciation for the opportunity to bring his team to Mexico City for the MLB World Tour series, describing the atmosphere as “unbelievable” and expressing gratitude to Major League Baseball for the invitation.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 Mexico City Series, Lovullo emphasized the strong connection between baseball and Mexican culture, drawing from personal experience playing winter ball in the country. “There’s a great baseball culture down there,” Lovullo said. “I played winter ball in Mexico a couple times and I just have nothing but great memories about going down there and playing in front of passionate fans. I’m eager for us to do it.”
The Diamondbacks will serve as the designated home team for both games in the series, which will be held at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City. This marks the third iteration of the MLB World Tour: Mexico City Series, following the inaugural event in 2023 between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.
Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, which opened in 2019, has a capacity of 20,062 and is located at an elevation of approximately 7,349 feet above sea level. The venue is known for its hitter-friendly conditions, a factor that contributed to an MLB-record-tying 11 home runs in the first game of the 2023 series.
Lovullo’s enthusiasm is shared by his players, including outfielder Alek Thomas, who has represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Thomas expressed excitement about competing in Mexico City, noting the special significance of playing in front of fans with whom he shares cultural ties.
The 2026 series features the Diamondbacks and Padres, two NL West rivals with strong followings in Mexico. Both teams entered the series with solid early-season records, with the Padres holding a 17-8 record and the Diamondbacks at 14-11, setting the stage for a meaningful divisional matchup with playoff implications later in the season.
Padres manager Craig Stammen echoed Lovullo’s sentiments about the unique experience of playing in Mexico City, highlighting the opportunity to enjoy the trip both on and off the field. “Get a chance to go down to Mexico City, do a couple fun things, then play two games against the Diamondbacks and then head back home,” Stammen said. “Should be a fun trip. We’re looking forward to it. Fun atmosphere for us all to be playing in….”
The series is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2026, with games set for 6:05 p.m. ET and 4:05 p.m. ET respectively. Broadcast coverage will be provided by MLB Network in the United States and ESPN Mexico in Mexico, with streaming available via MLB.TV.
As part of MLB’s broader World Tour initiative, the Mexico City Series aims to grow the game’s international footprint while celebrating the rich baseball tradition in Mexico. The event continues to draw significant interest from fans on both sides of the border, many of whom travel to support their teams in what has become a beloved early-season tradition.
The Diamondbacks’ appreciation for the Mexican baseball culture reflects a growing recognition among MLB personnel of the country’s passionate fan base and deep historical connection to the sport. Lovullo’s comments underscore the mutual respect and excitement that characterizes these international matchups.
Looking ahead, both teams will leverage the Mexico City Series as a benchmark as they navigate the long MLB season. With playoff aspirations in mind, the series offers an early test against a familiar divisional rival in a unique environment that could influence roster decisions and team momentum moving forward.
The next scheduled action for the Diamondbacks following the Mexico City Series will be a return to Chase Field in Phoenix for their next homestand, where they will look to build on whatever momentum they gain from the high-altitude challenge in Mexico City.
What are your thoughts on MLB’s international series and the special atmosphere in Mexico City? Share your views in the comments below and let us know if you’ve experienced the passion of Mexican baseball fans firsthand.
