Rob Manfred makes Little League Classic announcement for 2027

Rob Manfred. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred makes Little League Classic announcement for 2027

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 23, 2026 8:55 PM ET

Major League Baseball's "Little League Classic" game during the Little League World Series has become a staple in the season schedule.

Debuting in 2017, 15 different teams have participated in the game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and that number will increase by one with an announcement from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred during Sunday's game between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers.

Teams have been announced for the 2027 Little League Classic

Manfred joined Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez on Sunday and announced that next year's Little League Classic would take place on Thursday, Aug. 19, and the game will be between the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays.

Chicago will make its second appearance in the game (2019), while Toronto will be making its first appearance.

The Little League Classic from Williamsport is coming back in 2027!

The @Cubs meet the @BlueJays on Aug. 19 with all the action on ESPN and TSN.

(MLB x @NewYorkLife) pic.twitter.com/StKnDWEbwt
— MLB (@MLB) August 24, 2026

Most Little League Classic games have been close

In the nine-year history of the event, the largest margin of victory has been six runs, but most games have been fairly close. Five of the nine games have been decided by three runs or less and the most any team has scored in a game has been eight.

The 2027 game could be affected by the likely lockout

With the CBA set to expire after the season, most fans know that a lockout is coming. When that lockout could end is a question that most aren't sure the answer to.

The likelihood of the lockout lasting for the full season is not high, but it is certainly possible and would result in the Cubs and Blue Jays not being able to take the field in Williamsport.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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