Wrigley Field, Cubs to host 2027 All-Star Game

The Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field will host the 2027 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, commissioner Rob Manfred introduced Friday.

The recreation can be performed July 13, 2027.

“The hard work put in to transform all of Wrigleyville into an outstanding destination deserves to be celebrated and shared on a national stage,” Manfred mentioned in an announcement. “We look forward to bringing the Midsummer Classic back to historic Wrigley Field and working alongside the Cubs, city and state officials, and the local organizing group to bring an extraordinary experience to the baseball fans of Chicago.”

Wrigley Field will host the All-Star Game for the fourth time. The American League received the earlier conferences in 1947, 1962 and 1990.

The 1990 All-Star Game was recognized for a traditionally low offensive output. The National League was held to 2 hits, the fewest for an All-Star crew in historical past. The eight-man Home Run Derby subject mixed to hit 5 residence runs, with Ryne Sandberg successful the competition with three homers.

The Cubs first approached MLB about internet hosting an All-Star Game eight years in the past. But for quite a lot of causes, together with competitors from different cities and security issues with the ballpark in a bustling neighborhood, they weren’t awarded one till now. Chicago cleared a giant hurdle in June, when the town handed an ordinance permitting sidewalks alongside Addison Street to be widened and detachable bollards to be put in across the ballpark.

“I think we’re probably overdue in terms of being at Wrigley,” Manfred mentioned. “The Ricketts family, city of Chicago and state of Illinois made a tremendous investment not just in the ballpark but the area around it. I think it’ll be a fantastic venue for our All-Star celebration.”

Wrigley Field is ready to hitch Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium and the outdated Yankee Stadium as the one ballparks to host 4 All-Star Games. The metropolis of Chicago will host the occasion for the eighth time, second solely to New York with 9.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Cubs fan, attended Friday’s announcement and known as Wrigley Field “the perfect place to host the All-Star Game.”

“For over 100 years, this has been the beating heart of the baseball world and a shining emblem of our nation’s favorite pastime,” he mentioned. “There’s no place like it.”

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts lived within the neighborhood the final time the Cubs hosted the All-Star Game. But he wasn’t in a position to attend.

“I didn’t have dough,” he mentioned.

Ricketts figures to have an up-close view this time, assuming the sport is performed as scheduled. There is a few doubt with baseball’s collective bargaining settlement set to run out after the 2026 season, although Manfred expressed confidence that the homeowners and gamers will keep away from a prolonged work stoppage.

Asked a few potential contingency plan if there’s a strike or lockout, he mentioned: “My contingency plan is to make an agreement with the players and play the 2027 season.”

The 2026 All-Star Game will happen in Philadelphia as a part of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.