Visit California Helps Bring Major League Baseball to Mexico City

In advance of Major League Baseball’s historic Mexico City Series between the Giants and Padres, Visit California with partners San Francisco Travel and San Diego Tourism Authority hosted multiple promotional events. The events, which took place April 26-27 in Mexico City, marked the first time the League and two MLB clubs, two DMOs and a state tourism authority have partnered to attract leisure, group and sports tourism across the state, while celebrating the sport of baseball. Visit California helped fund the event, while Visit California's Mexico team coordinated media and trade invitations and were on hand to talk with trade and media.

The unprecedented tourism-specific collaboration brought together hundreds of local tour operators, MICE clients and regional tourism agencies over the course of the two days. Executives from each organization shared local updates and future plans with invited guests at two unique Mexico City locations. The alignment of all organizations involved was evident as they expressed their excitement in working together and highlighted the importance of collaboration in hosting a large-scale event like the MLB Mexico City Series.

“From the moment our guests arrived at our events, we kept hearing how unique and special it was that our respective organizations have teamed up to promote not only our individual cities and teams, but California as a whole” noted Nicole Rogers, Vice President of Sales with San Francisco Travel Association.

The Padres and San Diego Tourism Authority contributed to the success of the MLB Mexico City Series by working collaboratively with the Giants and Visit San Francisco. Fans were treated to a 16-11 win by the Padres in the first game that included five homeruns by each team. The Giants lost to the Padres the following day in a 6-4 matchup.

Mexico remains California’s largest volume international market, including visitors arriving by land and air.The opportunity to connect with key stakeholders in Mexico, in anticipation of the marquee international event, helped educate agents, planners and media on the many sports opportunities available to travelers across the state.

“When it comes to sports, California is big league all the way,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “We are thrilled to have partnered with the MLB and our destination partners to inspire sports fans, players and everyone in between to experience all the state has to offer.”