The National League Champion Dodgers and their NL West Division-rival San Diego Padres will meet in a three-game series at Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey May 4-6, 2018, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced on Monday.

The games, which will serve as Padres home games, will represent the third regular season series ever to be played in Monterrey, and the first since the Padres and the Colorado Rockies played in MLB’s first-ever international Opening Day on April 4, 1999.  The Padres have been a part of all three MLB visits to Monterrey, as they also played a three-game series against the New York Mets at the ballpark in August of 1996.

Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey has a seating capacity of 27,000 and offers a stunning view of Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Hill). It is exactly 1,452 miles from Dodger Stadium. (Photo credit – Stephen Dunn)

MLB teams last visited Mexico in March 2016 when the Padres and Houston Astros met for two exhibition games at Fray Nano in Mexico City.  Additionally, a Qualifier round for the 2017 World Baseball Classic was staged in Mexicali, Mexico in March 2016, while Jalisco, Mexico hosted Pool D of the WBC earlier this March.  The Dodgers last participated in an international event in the 2014 Opening Series in Sydney, Australia, where they played two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The team has made three previous trips to Mexico, playing pre-season exhibition games in 1964 (in Mexico City vs. Diablos Rojos), 1991 (in Monterrey vs. Industriales de Monterrey and Milwaukee Brewers) and 2003 (in Mexico City vs. New York Mets).

“As a team with a bi-national fan base and reach that extends into Baja California and throughout Mexico, we are excited to once again play regular season games in Monterrey and help grow the popularity of our great game,”  said Padres COO Erik Greupner.  “Baseball fans in Mexico are passionate about the game and we look forward to deepening our connection with them.”

“The Dodgers are excited and extremely proud to be returning to Mexico as a team for the fourth time in our history,” said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten. “These games will also mark the first time that the Dodgers are playing regular season contests in Mexico, something long overdue, given our rich player history and strong community ties to the country. The Dodgers have always been at the forefront of growing the game of baseball internationally and this trip reinforces this commitment, while at the same time giving our many fans in Mexico a chance to see us compete.”

“I’m extremely excited about returning home to Mexico to play a series against my former team, the Padres,” said Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  Born in the U.S. and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Adrián added, “This series will be memorable for all involved, as we visit Monterrey to repay the baseball fans in Mexico for their never-ending support of the game we all love.”

“We look forward to playing in Mexico in front of some of the most passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans in the world.  Both teams have a strong following south of the border and we anticipate a very warm and spirited reception when we visit Monterrey,” said Padres first baseman Wil Myers.

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Reminder: Citizens of the United States or Canada who are planning a trip to Mexico will need to carry either a passport or other WHTI-compliant travel document. A passport is necessary for absolutely everyone entering Mexico by air. Travelers entering Mexico by land may not be asked to present a passport, but will certainly need to present one upon return to the United States or Canada, so be sure you have it with you before crossing the border, or you could face some hassles when it’s time to return home.