MBF
Mexican Baseball FiestaBaseball's Biggest Fiesta

About La Fiesta

Béisbol • Música • Cultura • Familia

Our Story

Where It All Began

The Vamos A Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta, presented by Vantage West and Visit Tucson, will return to Tucson for its 12th season. The Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta began in 2011 in Tucson. This international event completed its ninth year in 2019 and then shut down operations in 2020 due to Covid 19 health restrictions. The MBF involves a partnership with the Liga ARCO Mexicana Del Pacifico (LMP) or translated to the Mexican Winter League who journeys to the US for their version of “Spring Training”. The event is operated by Mike Feder, 30-year minor league general manager (15 years in Tucson) as President of the MBF, and Francisco Gamez, founder and partner of the Mexican Baseball Fiesta. Gamez played 10 years in the Mexican Pacific League.

For those not familiar with the Mexican Winter League, it is as popular in Mexico as the MLB is in the “states”. At our MBF games there is electricity in the air, music playing all the time, mascots on the field, fans dancing in the stands, authentic Mexican food like tacos and tortas instead of hot dogs and peanuts, and a lot of people leaving the games with big smiles! Fans follow their teams with such fierce loyalty and pass the love of the game on from generation to generation. It’s not uncommon to see three generations of families enjoying a game together…all wearing the team jerseys of their favorite team.

Packed Kino Stadium during Mexican Baseball Fiesta
Baile Folklorico performance
Players signing autographs for fans
Fans cheering at the game

7,686

Record Sellout Fans

13+

Years of La Fiesta

$1.5M+

Economic Impact

1,800+

Hotel Nights (2018)

~20%

Fans from Mexico

2+

Live Bands Daily

Families enjoying the game at Sloan Park
Naranjeros fans celebrating

Expanding the Fiesta

The Mexican Baseball Fiesta has grown throughout Arizona. In 2021, the “Fiesta” was also played in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Ballpark), Maryvale (American Family Fields of Phoenix — Home of the Brewers Spring Training), Mesa (Sloan Park – Spring Training Home of the Chicago Cubs) and Kino Stadium in Tucson. This year the Fiesta has increased its stay in the valley with an extra day in Maryvale, the Brewers Spring Training Home, becoming a 5 day event over the course of two weekends.

Visit Tucson has been instrumental in the success of the Mexican Baseball Fiesta in Tucson. Past ticket sales indicate that about 20 percent of the crowd is from Mexico. A few years ago Visit Tucson did an economic impact study of the event. It was determined that the MBF generates over $1.5 million to our local economy. Not only is this event cherished by the Hispanic community locally but because of Visit Tucson’s established presence south of the border as Vamos a Tucson, we are able to market this unique event directly to the Mexican traveler to draw them here for that weekend in September / October. We will have event information available at the Vamos a Tucson Visitor Centers in Hermosillo and Obregon.

“We’re excited to partner with this great event to bring Mexican baseball back to Tucson. The popularity of this event continues to grow, and we are proud to be a part of something that both locals and visitors look forward to every year. The Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta is the true definition of a quality cultural event and a boon to our community and economy.”

— Felipe Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Tucson
Since 2011

How We Got Here

2011

The Beginning

The Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta is founded in Tucson, bringing Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico to Arizona for the first time.

2014

Caribbean Glory

Naranjeros de Hermosillo win the Caribbean Series title — one of two in club history alongside their 16 league titles.

2018

Growing Impact

Over 1,800 hotel room nights booked. The event generates $1.5M+ in annual economic impact for Tucson.

2020

COVID-19 Shutdown

After nine successful years, MBF shuts down operations due to COVID-19 health restrictions.

2021

The Return & Expansion

La Fiesta returns and expands to Las Vegas Ballpark, Maryvale (American Family Fields), Mesa (Sloan Park), and Kino Stadium in Tucson. Su Majestad La Brissa helps generate the only sellout in MBF history — 7,686 fans!

2024

Multi-City Growth

The Fiesta increases its Valley presence with an extra day in Maryvale, becoming a 5-day event over two weekends.

The Teams

Participating Teams

We welcome teams from the Mexican Pacific League (Liga ARCO Mexicana Del Pacifico). The Mexican teams include the Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Yaquis de Obregon, Aguilas de Mexicali, Mayos de Navojoa, and Algodoneros de Guasave, as well as The University of Arizona.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo

Naranjeros de Hermosillo

16 league titles and two Caribbean Series championships. One of the most popular and successful teams in the Mexican Pacific League.

Yaquis de Obregón

Yaquis de Obregón

Three consecutive Mexican Pacific League Championships (2011–2013), giving the team seven in club history.

Águilas de Mexicali

Águilas de Mexicali

A powerhouse from the border city of Mexicali, bringing passionate fans from both sides of the border.

Algodoneros de Guasave

Algodoneros de Guasave

Joining the Fiesta lineup, adding depth and excitement to the tournament.

Arizona Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats

The University of Arizona adds a local collegiate dimension to the international matchups.

The long rivalry between Naranjeros and Yaquis makes for intense matchups — games between them are considered the best in the league (think Yankees vs. Red Sox). They’ve played each other on both Friday and Saturday nights in front of an average of over 5,000 fans at Kino Stadium.

Live music performance at Sloan Park
Su Majestad La Brissa performing

Music & Entertainment

Music is a major part of our event. At least two live bands perform every day. It’s not just following the games but also during the games…just like it’s done at the Mexican Winter League games!

The Vamos A Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta has featured Su Majestad La Brissa. This highly popular Sonoran banda performed following the Friday game in 2021. It helped generate the only sellout in MBF history with a crowd of 7,686!

Record-Breaking Night

Su Majestad La Brissa’s 2021 performance helped generate a crowd of 7,686 — the only sellout in MBF history at Kino Stadium!

Watch

The Fiesta Experience

Interview with MBF Founder Francisco Gámez

Our Organizing Team

For more information, contact anyone in our organizing team.

5055 E Broadway Blvd Suite C215, Tucson, AZ 85711

Be Part of the Experience

Authentic Mexican Baseball — the passion of the game, music, food, and fun for the whole family. Join thousands of fans who celebrate this cultural tradition every year.