For decades, Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana was the pulsating heart of Cuban baseball, where the roar of 55,000 fans filled the air during the national championship, according to a tourist who attended a match there. Today, a foreign visitor’s firsthand account published by fr.cibercuba.com paints a stark picture of the national pastime’s agonizing decline, describing a venue of empty seats, crumbling infrastructure, and a populace too burdened to attend the games that once defined them. The visitor paid 20 Cuban pesos—less than a dime at the informal exchange rate—to witness a scene that encapsulates a paradox: the cheapest ticket in the world is not enough to fill the stadium.
Price of Admission Versus Daily Survival
The tourist’s experience began with the price of admission. At 20 CUP, the cost of a ticket to the 65th National Series is a nominal gesture, a symbol of baseball’s status as a public good. Yet, this symbolic price does not erase the real-world cost of attending a game. For many Cubans, the choice between a day at the ballpark and the daily struggle for survival is no choice at all. The average state salary hovers around 7,354 CUP per month, equivalent to roughly eight dollars on the informal market. By contrast, a basic monthly food shop can exceed 8,500 CUP, a cost greater than a full month’s wages.
When a person’s day is consumed by searching for food, enduring power cuts that last more than 20 hours, or simply finding reliable transportation, the luxury of spending several hours under the sun in a stadium becomes an unattainable dream. The economic crisis gripping the nation has turned a simple outing into an act of privilege, leaving the vast majority of the stadium’s blue seats empty for games that were once community gatherings.
Leagues Abroad Eroding Fan Loyalty
The exodus of Cuban players to professional leagues abroad has accelerated, shattering the bond between fans and their teams. More than 40 Cuban players signed contracts with Major League organizations during the 2025-2026 international signing period alone. Over the past decade, an estimated 1,000 athletes have left the island, including at least 700 promising young players.
Following a promising prospect now means accepting that their time in Cuba will be brief. This erodes the ability to build the homegrown idols and local legends who for decades fueled the passion for baseball.
Systemic Crisis Forces League Cuts and Cancellations
The decline is not limited to the stands or the roster; it extends to the very structure of the tournament. The 65th National Series, which began on October 4, has been drastically altered. Teams, which once played 75 games each, are now scheduled for only 44. The 16 teams have been divided into geographical zones to cut down on fuel consumption, a direct response to the country’s severe energy shortages.
The Sub-12, Sub-15, and Sub-18 youth championships have been canceled outright due to the energy crisis.
Game Day Conditions Reach a Breaking Point
The crisis has even intruded on the field of play. On October 31, a match between Matanzas and Mayabeque was suspended, not due to weather or score, but because the visiting players had no access to water at their lodging. The players could not drink, shower, or cook, forcing officials to call off the game. The incident highlighted the systemic failures that now plague the league, where even the basic needs of athletes cannot be guaranteed.
At the Estadio Latinoamericano itself, the signs of decay are visible. The stadium, inaugurated in 1946 and expanded to its current 55,000 capacity, shows visible wear. The food offerings are minimal, limited to basics like bread and seasoned pork. The tourist summed up the feeling with a grim observation: “The show has long since packed its bags.”
A Stadium of Memories and a Funeral for a Sport
The contrast between the stadium’s past and present is jarring. For generations, Estadio Latinoamericano was a space of popular assembly, where every corner of the blue stands was filled with passionate fans. Even a year ago, the largest crowd of 2023—20,000 people for a tribute to player Alexander Malleta—represented only 36% of the stadium’s capacity.
The tourist concluded their account with a phrase that resonates far beyond the stadium walls: “Welcome to the cheapest funeral in the world.” The words are a stark metaphor for the slow death of a sport that is a cornerstone of Cuban culture.
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