Padres set to play international series in 2026, according to insider

The San Diego Padres are gearing up for a postseason run in 2025, but looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Padres will be going international once again.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Padres are set to play a series in Mexico City in April during the 2026 MLB season.

"The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks will play a series in Mexico City next April," Nightengale reports.

Previously, the Padres played the San Francisco Giants in Mexico City during the 2023 season. It was a two-game series, with the Padres and Giants closing out April with a Mexico City series.

Due to the high elevation, higher than Colorado Rockies' Coors Field, the two teams combined for an offensive onslaught. In game one, the Padres beat the Giants 16-11. Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts, and Nelson Cruz all hit home runs, while Manny Machado sent two home runs out.

MORE: Padres 'don't match up' with Red Sox in trade for All-Star MVP

Game two was a much lower score, finishing 6-4 with a Padres win. Only Austin Nola hit a home run for the Padres in game two, but the overall offensive environment was ripe for the long ball.

Their previous series against the Giants went well, and while the Padres will have some changes to the roster, Tatis, Machado, and Boggaerts will all return to Mexico City to add to their international home run totals.

While this will be the Padres' second time playing in Mexico City and their sixth time playing internationally, the Diamondbacks will only be in their second international series after a Sydney, Australia series in 2014.

The Padres are set to face off against the Diamondbacks in Mexico City in April for a highly-anticipated international game at the start of the 2026 MLB season. 

MORE MLB NEWS:

• Padres make Dylan Cease, Michael King trade deadline decisions
• Tigers 'make a lot of sense' in trade for $275 million All-Star third baseman
• Tigers expected to aggressively pursue impact closer at trade deadline
• Astros named a 'strong trade fit' for Braves three-time All-Star silver slugger
• MLB insider reveals Guardians' trade demands for Steven Kwan
• MLB insider reveals three relievers Cardinals are most likely to trade