PIMA COUNTY, (March 17, 2026) – The Tucson Baseball Team announced it will not return to Kino Sports Complex and will relocate to Mexico after federal visa issues prevented the team from playing home games during the 2025 season.
Pima County, with the support of Visit Tucson and the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism, & Film Authority, brought the team to Kino last year as a member of the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico (LAMP). But on Oct. 3, prior to the start of the season, the U.S. Consulate General in Hermosillo informed the team that the B1/B2 visas previously issued to team members were not the appropriate visas.
“We are grateful for the support we received from Pima County, Visit Tucson, and the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism, & Film Authority throughout this project,” said Victor Cuevas Jr., owner of the Tucson Baseball Team. “We were all looking forward to making history together here in Pima County. While this chapter is coming to a close, we leave with nothing but appreciation for the fans and sponsors who believed in and supported the team.”
Team ownership worked to resolve the issue but ultimately canceled the remainder of its one-year use agreement with Kino in December 2025, with about two weeks remaining in the season. The Cuevas family had moved the franchise from Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, to Tucson for the 2025 season, but the team was forced to play all its games in opponents’ stadiums in Mexico.
“The Cuevas family was a wonderful partner and shared the vision of making history here as the first U.S.-based franchise in the league,” said Sarah Hanna, director of the Kino Sports Complex. “I wish them nothing but the best in the future.”
Ownership had previously expressed interest in returning to Tucson in 2026. But continued uncertainty surrounding the visa issues led the team and LAMP to relocate the franchise to Mexico, now in advance of preparations for the 2026 winter league season.
“We’re grateful for the support of Visit Tucson, and the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism, & Film Authority, who stood with us to bring the team to Tucson,” Hanna said. “With Kino’s world-class facilities for baseball, soccer, and more, we continue to work together to enhance opportunities in Pima County.”