What to Know
- MLB, state, city and Phillies reps have announced that the 2026 All-Star Game will be in Philly.
- The Phillies invited fans to come to the event on Independence Hall. Expect road closures and restrictions Tuesday.
- The 1976 All-Star Game was also held in Philadelphia to celebrate the bicentennial. Philly has also hosted the 1943, 1952 and 1996 games.
Phillies legends, current stars and Philadelphia dignitaries joined forces Tuesday for a “Major League” announcement 250 years in the making.
The 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is coming to Philadelphia, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said while calling it "one of the worst kept secrets in America."
Manfred, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Phillies managing partner John Middleton and Phillies slugger Bryce Harper, along with countless others took the sunlit stage in front of Independence Hall to officially announce that Citizens Bank Park and the City of Brotherly Love will play host to the 97th Midsummer Classic.
Kenney joked that "it's always sunny in Philadelphia" before sharing memories of growing up rooting for the Phils. Harper thanked the fans and then said "Let's go Sixers" to make the NBA team's playoff run.
Seven years sure seems like a longer than usual time to plan a Midsummer Classic (the 2021 host hasn't even been announced yet) but it happens to coincide with the United States Semiquincentennial celebrating 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed in Independence Hall.
“The idea of bringing the 2026 All-Star Game to Philadelphia in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary was one that was led by Phillies Chairman David Montgomery," Middleton said. "His passion for the game, as well as his unwavering loyalty to this great city and the best fans in all of sports, is why the crown jewel of Major League Baseball is making its return to Philadelphia."
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In partnership with NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies did little to hide what the announcement will be by unveiling their guest list of current and former players including Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Odubel Herrera, Rhys Hoskins, Greg Luzinski, Andrew McCutchen, Aaron Nola, Jimmy Rollins and hall of famer Mike Schmidt and the Phillie Phanatic, of course, in Founding Fathers-esque cursive.
The team also, in the Facebook post, invited fans to the event. Fans cheered as each dignitary and player or former All-Star was announced.
Road closures and restrictions around Independence Hall are in place until 4 p.m. Tuesday because the stage is set up right on Market Street:
- Market Street, eastbound lanes, closed between 7th and 6th Streets
- 500 block of Market Street, both directions
- 6th Street closed between Arch Street and Ranstead Streets intermittently
Drivers should expect traffic delays in the Independence Mall area Tuesday afternoon. Parking will also be prohibited in areas of the road closure.
SEPTA will detour its 17, 33, 38 and 44 bus routes around the event.
