Citi Field, tucked in the heart of Queens, New York, will host an international winter league showcase that’s expected to draw plenty of attention when players from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico take the field Saturday, November 15.
The Gigantes del Cibao and Águilas Cibaeñas of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana were initially scheduled to meet in the Copa del Cibao, a three-game series from November 7–9 at Citi Field.
LIDOM’s Gigantes del Cibao and Águilas Cibaeñas To Play Series at Citi Field
That series has been canceled, as announced on Citi Field’s official page November 3. Refund information is available via major ticket agencies.
The Cup Is Empty: Copa America, Scheduled to Start Nov. 13, Has Been Cancelled
Latin Events was the promoter for Copa del Cibao, previously responsible for the Titanes del Caribe events featuring Águilas Cibaeñas and Tigres del Licey at Citi Field in 2023 and 2024.
Two of those games were later moved to Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after promoters Félix Cabrera of Felix Cabrera Presents and Pedro Zamora of Zamora Live failed to cover the $2 million stadium leasing cost for Yankee Stadium games in 2024. Record.com.do reported that all tickets for those canceled Bronx games were refunded.
World Baseball Network’s Leif Skodnick reported additional concerns surrounding the Copa del Cibao.
Skodnick noted that a ticket search on the New York Mets’ website showed most sections still had availability. In a statement, Latin Events blamed external circumstances—including ICE raids in Dominican and Latino communities across several states—for poor sales, saying fear of enforcement actions kept fans home.
World Baseball Network also reported that Hurricane Melissa caused 18 LIDOM game cancellations between October 21–27. The storm later strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane and disrupted schedules across the Caribbean.
La Musica Presentar and La Mega 97.9 were to serve as major media sponsors. Dominican reporter Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN Dominicana first announced the cancellation.
LIDOM anuncia la cancelación oficial de la Copa del Cibao entre Gigantes y Águilas y fija su posición sobre lo acontecido con Latin Events, organizador del evento. https://t.co/1xD0fG8W23 pic.twitter.com/b65rE3h3S9
— Juan Arturo Recio (@JuanRecioM) November 1, 2025
SugarPromotions revealed the artists slated to perform, including Fernando Villalona, Yailin “La Mas Viral,” El Prodigio, El Blachy, El Rubio Del Acordeon, Fefita La Grande, Luis Vargas, Jose Vargas, Jossie Esteban, Chimbala, La Perversa, Secreto, Zulink A, and Bulin 47
The Aguilas Cibaenas and the Tigres del Licey made their mark as the first two major franchises to play in the Titanes del Caribe in 2023 and 2024.
The Aguilas Cibaenas swept the Tigres del Licey in the first Titanes del Caribe in 2023 at Citi Field, and the Tigres del Licey won two games in San Juan, besides losing to the Aguilas Cibaenas at Citi Field in the second year of “La Revancha Titanes del Caribe event.
Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico All-Star Game – November 15
The Asociación de Peloteros Profesionales de Puerto Rico will face the Federación Nacional de Peloteros Profesionales de la República Dominicana at 1 p.m. EST, marking the first time professional winter-league players from both countries compete under their league banners in the United States.
The event will also spotlight Dominican legend Robinson Canó in what’s expected to be his final game on U.S. soil—unless he appears next season with the Diablos Rojos del México in a series at Laredo, Texas.
Canó announced his return to the Diablos Rojos in September after helping them win their 18th franchise championship, sweeping the Charros de Jalisco in the 2025 Serie del Rey.
¡EL JEFE SE QUEDA! 🗣️🫨🤯 pic.twitter.com/JSdf5V2hAc
— DiablosRojosMX (@DiablosRojosMX) September 18, 2025
Canó remains the only player in baseball history to win a World Series, World Baseball Classic, two Serie del Rey titles, three Caribbean Series crowns, and the Baseball Champions League.
He spent 17 MLB seasons with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves. The 43-year-old from San Pedro de Macorís is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and four-time Silver Slugger recipient. Internationally, he was MVP of the 2013 World Baseball Classic and the 2025 BCL Americas.
History Of Winter League Baseball On U.S. Soil
LoanDepot Park in Miami has previously hosted winter-league events including the Choques de Gigantes (2024) and Serie de Las Américas (2015), as well as the 2024 Caribbean Series.
The upcoming All-Star Game is promoted by the Cerreo Group, in partnership with LBPRC president Yamil Benítez and LIDOM players’ association president Erick Almonte.
Puerto Rico’s team will be managed by Carlos Delgado with coaches Wilfredo “Coco” Cordero, Stephen Morales, José “Cheo” Rosado, José “Cheo” Molina, Edwards Guzmán, Robinson Cancel, and Andy González.
Carlos Gómez will manage the Dominican roster with Hector Borg, Alex Candelario, Ray Willy Gómez, Willy Otañez, Anderson Hernández, Teuris Olivares, Pedro López, and Wilton Chávez. (source)
Information on streaming services for LBRPC vs. LIDOM All-Star Game at Citi Field on November 15.
Game tickets can be purchased here.
There will be two umpires from Puerto Rico, Angel Rosario and Kelvin Bultron, who will be suited up for the All-Star Game.
The other two umpires from the Dominican Republic will be Felix Tejada and Junior Torres.
Music group IV4 Live will have a pre-game block party on November 15, prior to the All-Star Game.
Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade will perform during the Pre-Game Block Party.
Spiderman Dominicano will also make an appearance at the Pre-Game Block Party.
La Boricualorian will be the other action-hero Spanish Icon at the Pre-Game Block Party.
Dominican media entrepreneur Santiago Matias “Alofoke”, will throw at the first pitch at Citi Field, prior to the historic showdown.
Music artist Shantelle will perform the United States National Anthem, before first pitch.
Merengue and Bachata singer Hector Acosta “El Torito” will make an appearance at the All-Star Game.
Victor Swing Events will have multiple artists perform at 10 a.m. EST at Citi Field Plaza on November 15.
Notebook
The last Latin American All-Star Game in New York City was held October 12, 1963, at the Polo Grounds—the final baseball game ever played there. The National League Hispanic All-Stars defeated the American League team 5-2 before 14,235 fans. Hall of Famers Luis Aparicio, Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, Tony Oliva, and Minnie Miñoso all participated.
Photo: Robinson Cano smiles in the dugout during a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Monday, April 16, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
