MLB announces date for 2026 All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park

Matt Breen, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Jul 18, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels knows where he wants to sit next summer when Citizens Bank Park hosts the Home Run Derby.

“The third deck won’t be safe,” Hamels said after Major League Baseball announced that the All-Star Game will be held in South Philadelphia on July 14, 2026. “That’s actually where you want to be to catch balls. When you go to a game and you’re in the third deck, there’s no chance of getting a foul ball or a home run. In the Home Run Derby? There will be.”

The derby will likely be on July 13 but MLB has not yet announced a date. The Futures Game — a showcase of baseball’s premier prospects — is expected to be held July 11 at Citizens Bank Park and the MLB draft should begin on July 12 in Philadelphia.

The game’s return to Philadelphia was announced in 2019 but the league waited until Friday at City Hall to set a date for one of the signature events of a packed summer as the city marks America’s 250th birthday. It will be baseball’s first All-Star Game in Philly since the 1996 event at Veterans Stadium.

Hamels was joined at City Hall by a cast of fellow former All-Star Phillies along with Bryce Harper, who could be one of the sluggers trying next summer to launch balls into the third deck.

The league also unveiled the logo for the game, which features the Liberty Bell in a red, white, and blue color scheme. The Phillies will likely wear a patch of the logo on their caps next season as the All-Star Game hosts have done in recent seasons.

“Major League Baseball is thrilled for Philadelphia to be the host city for the 2026 All-Star Game and for America’s pastime to play a role in recognizing a momentous year in our nation’s history,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Today’s logo unveiling sets the stage for a year-long celebration of our game and our country in the City of Brotherly Love. We are excited to work together with the Phillies and local officials to shine a light on Philadelphia’s rich history, culture and passionate fan base.”

The All-Star Game will be just 10 days after the city hosts its sixth and final World Cup game, a Round of 16 game on July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field. The PGA Championship will be in May at Aronimink and the Wells Fargo Center will host first- and second-round games in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in March.

“It’s going to be a circus but that’s what Philly loves,” Hamels said. “It’s a sports city. They want to be able to host it. There’s nothing better. I was lucky enough to be an All Star in San Diego, my hometown. And Philly is like my second home so you always want to be able to play in front of people who have value to you. Your family, your home crowd. You want to be able to celebrate with them and give them a show. The All-Star Game is a show. It’s a celebration. And this is an amazing place to be a part of.”

The Phillies hosted the 1976 All-Star Game as part of the Bicentennial as MLB, the NHL and NBA came to Philly for their All-Star games while the NCAA held the men’s Final Four at The Spectrum.

“Philadelphia will be the place to be in 2026, and the Phillies are thrilled to join MLB in hosting the Midsummer Classic,” Phillies managing partner and CEO John Middleton said in a statement.

“Baseball fans will have the opportunity to take part in the activities and events that make All-Star Week a special experience. In addition, the 250th birthday celebration of our great nation will give fans and visitors to our city an opportunity to see Philadelphia in a unique light. We have no doubt that they will create wonderful memories.”