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General view of the outside of Wrigley Field. Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Chicago, Toronto, Baltimore among finalists for next MLB All-Star Games

By Aaron Somers | Last updated May 26, 2025 1:17 PM ET

Major League Baseball will hold its annual All-Star festivities this summer at Atlanta's Truist Park. Next summer, in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the game and celebration will take place at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.

Discussions are actively taking place in the league offices regarding hosts for the event in future years and according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the focus has been narrowed to three: Chicago's Wrigley Field, Toronto's Rogers Centre and Baltimore's Camden Yards.

Multiple reports over the weekend suggested that the decision to award the 2027 All-Star Game to Chicago has already been made. The league has yet to formally announce anything and isn't expected to do so until later this summer. Nightengale adds that all three teams are expected to host between 2027-29.

Wrigley Field underwent significant renovations in recent years to improve the in-park experience and that of the area surrounding the stadium. Still, there appear to be some security concerns that may need to be addressed to help finalize any efforts by the team in lobbying to host. Fran Spielman of The Chicago Sun-Times reported that a proposal has been submitted by local officials for $30M in improvements that would include widening sidewalks. The team, city and state would share in those costs.

Chicago hosted the All-Star Game in 2003, but that was on the south side of town, at U.S. Cellular Field (since renamed Rate Field), the home of the White Sox. The last time the game was held at Wrigley Field was in 1990.

At that game, Cubs legend Ernie Banks was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg was the National League's leading vote-getter. The NL offense managed just two hits in the game (both singles), marking the lowest hit total ever for a team in an All-Star Game. The AL won, 2-0. Both runs would score on a Julio Franco double. The Rangers infielder took home the game's MVP honors.

Toronto hosted its lone All-Star Game in 1991. It marked just the second time the All-Star festivities had been held outside the United States, with the first coming in 1982 in Montreal.

The game was also the only ASG awarded by former commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, who passed away from a heart attack just five months after taking the job. Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. went 2-for-3 with a home run and was named MVP.

Baltimore played host for the ASG in 1993, just a year after opening Orioles Park at Camden Yards. MLB's tendency to award this event to clubs shortly after opening brand new ballparks began here. Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett led the AL lineup, going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. He'd win MVP honors in the AL's 9-3 win.

Aaron Somers

Aaron Somers has more than a decade of experience writing about sports and has been published in numerous outlets, but baseball is and has always been his biggest passion. You can follow him on BlueSky, @AaronJSomers.

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