Caribbean World Series Strengthens Puerto Rico’s Position as a Sports Tourism Destination

Puerto Rico hosted the Caribbean World Series for the second consecutive year, a youth baseball tournament that brought together 230 teams from countries across the region, generating a significant economic impact for the Island and, more importantly, strengthening its position as a leading sports tourism destination.

In addition to Puerto Rico, which was represented by nearly 120 participating teams, squads from the United States, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia, and other countries throughout the region competed in the tournament. The event featured divisions ranging from 8U to 18U and was held from July 24 to 30, 2026.

The opening ceremony took place along the waterfront in Cataño, the host municipality of the event and home to Pedro “Perucho” Cepeda Stadium. Given the scale of the tournament, games were also played at baseball parks in Bayamón, Dorado, Guaynabo, Vega Baja, and Vega Alta.

The competition generated approximately 2,000 room nights across hotels and short-term rentals, while contributing an estimated $2.7 million to the local economy. The impact extended beyond the lodging sector to restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, transportation services, tourist attractions, and other businesses connected to the visitor experience.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado served as the host hotel.

One of the tournament’s most significant attributes is that, as a youth sporting event, players typically travel with family members. This not only broadens the economic benefits for the destination but also creates opportunities for visitors to experience Puerto Rico’s tourism, culinary, and cultural offerings during their stay.

The event was made possible through the collaboration of Discover Puerto Rico, NCS, producer of the Caribbean World Series, and the participating municipalities, which worked together to coordinate logistics, accommodations, sports facilities, and tournament promotion.

Beyond the numbers, the success of this second edition reaffirms Puerto Rico’s ability to host large-scale international sporting events. Examples include the World Baseball Classic and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament. The Island’s sports infrastructure, the expertise of local organizations, and the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors continue to position Puerto Rico as a competitive destination for both high-profile events and youth tournaments.

In fact, Discover Puerto Rico has continued to strengthen this segment by recently welcoming four prestigious U.S. collegiate basketball programs—Army, Ole Miss, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. Their games at Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón generated economic activity and increased exposure for the destination.