If you’re the kind of fan who plans vacations around ballpark bucket lists, you probably already have a calendar invite for July 2026. Baseball is weirdly predictable about some things and a total enigma about others. While we know exactly where the next two years of All-Star festivities are going down, the map for 2028 and beyond is basically a series of "educated guesses" and front-office whispers.
The Midsummer Classic is moving away from the era of "new stadium, new game" and leaning hard into nostalgia and massive civic anniversaries.
The Big One: Philadelphia 2026
Honestly, the 2026 game has been locked in since 2019. It’s almost bizarre how far out they planned this one, but there’s a massive reason: the 250th anniversary of the United States. Philadelphia is going to be the absolute center of the universe that summer.
Citizens Bank Park is finally getting its turn. Despite being one of the most beloved "modern-classic" parks in the league since it opened in 2004, it has never hosted an All-Star Game. This fulfills a weird tradition too; the city hosted the 1976 game at the old Veterans Stadium for the Bicentennial.
- The Date: July 14, 2026
- The Draw: The Home Run Derby in that park will be absolute chaos. The ball flies there.
- The Vibe: Expect a lot of Liberty Bell imagery and probably a heavy dose of Mike Schmidt and Bryce Harper.
People often forget that Philly has actually hosted this thing four times already, dating all the way back to 1943 at Shibe Park. But 2026 is the one everyone’s circling because of the sheer scale of the national party happening in the streets of South Philly.
Back to the Friendly Confines: Chicago 2027
For the longest time, there was this rumor that Wrigley Field was "un-hostable" for a modern All-Star Game because the surrounding neighborhood was too cramped for all the corporate tents and security.
Well, those rumors died on August 1, 2025.
Commissioner Rob Manfred officially handed the 2027 keys to the Chicago Cubs. It’s about time. The last time the All-Star Game was at Wrigley, Ryne Sandberg won the Home Run Derby. That was 1990. Think about how much the world has changed since 1990.
The Cubs spent a fortune (around $1 billion) renovating the park and the surrounding "Gallagher Way" area. MLB loves to reward owners who spend their own money on stadium infrastructure. By 2027, the "Wrigleyville" experience will be the blueprint for how MLB wants these events to look: a mix of historic ivy and high-end luxury.
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What Happens in 2028? The Front-Runners
This is where things get a bit murky. MLB hasn't put a stamp on 2028 yet, but the breadcrumbs are everywhere.
The biggest name in the hat is Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Why? Because of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. If MLB players are going to participate in the Olympics—which is a huge "if" but looking more likely—the league wants a West Coast hub. Hosting the All-Star Game in San Francisco would allow players to congregate in California before heading down to LA for the Olympic games. Plus, the Giants have been pushing their "Mission Rock" development next to the cove, and an All-Star Game is the perfect ribbon-cutting ceremony.
But don't sleep on Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The Orioles recently signed a long-term lease and secured $400 million in public funds for renovations. They haven't hosted since 1993. It’s widely considered the stadium that changed baseball architecture forever. It’s "due" in the most literal sense of the word.
The Long Shots and the Certainties
Beyond 2028, we’re looking at a few teams that are basically screaming for attention.
- The Toronto Blue Jays: They just spent nearly $300 million renovating the Rogers Centre to make it feel less like a concrete bunker and more like a ballpark. Manfred has explicitly mentioned Toronto as a top candidate. They haven't hosted since 1991.
- The Boston Red Sox: Fenway hasn't seen an All-Star Game since that iconic 1999 night when Ted Williams was wheeled out to the mound. 2029 would be the 30th anniversary of that game. The symmetry is almost too perfect for MLB to pass up.
- The Tampa Bay Rays: This is the big outlier. They are the only franchise that has never hosted. With a new stadium deal finally moving forward in St. Petersburg, you can bet MLB will give them a game as soon as the ribbon is cut on that new roof. Likely 2029 or 2030.
Why Some Stadiums Get Skipped
You might be wondering why the Yankees haven't hosted in their "new" stadium (it’s been 17 years!) or why Dodger Stadium just had it recently.
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MLB follows a loose set of rules for these things. They want new stadiums, sure. But they also want cities that can handle 30,000 hotel room nights without breaking. They want a "campus" feel where fans can walk from a fan fest to the stadium.
This is why a place like Oakland never got one in their final years—the infrastructure just wasn't there. It's also why Las Vegas is almost a lock for a game around 2030 or 2031. Once that stadium on the Strip is built, MLB will want to flex it on a national stage immediately.
Actionable Tips for All-Star Travelers
If you’re actually planning to go to these, don't wait for the ticket "on-sale" date.
- Join the Season Ticket Lists: Teams like the Phillies and Cubs give priority to their own season ticket holders. Even a partial "20-game" plan often gets you into a lottery for All-Star tickets.
- Watch the Hotel Blocks: As soon as the dates are announced, major chains in the host city (like the Marriott or Hilton) get swallowed up by MLB's corporate block. Book a "refundable" room the second you hear a rumor confirmed by someone like Ken Rosenthal or Bob Nightengale.
- The "Other" Events: If the actual game tickets are too expensive (and they will be), the All-Star Village and the Futures Game are usually way more accessible. The 2026 Village in Philadelphia will be at the Pennsylvania Convention Center—it's basically a baseball theme park.
The Midsummer Classic is evolving. It’s less of a game and more of a week-long festival of the sport. Whether you’re waiting for the ivy at Wrigley or the bells in Philly, the next few years of future mlb all star game locations are a love letter to the history of the game.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep an eye on the 2025 winter meetings. That is typically when the league drops the "official" announcement for the game two years out. If we don't hear about 2028 by December, expect a spring announcement during the 2026 buildup. If you’re eyeing Philadelphia, the ticket lottery registration usually opens about 8-10 months before the event on the official MLB website.