The Los Angeles Dodgers officially will need to wait until 2022 to host the MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. Based on health circumstances created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic along with governmental directives prohibiting large gatherings, MLB determined it is unable to conduct the All-Star Game and its week of surrounding fan activities this year.
“Once it became clear we were unable to hold this year’s All-Star festivities, we wanted to award the Dodgers with the next available All-Star Game, which is 2022,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
“I want to thank the Dodgers organization and the City of Los Angeles for being collaborative partners in the early stages of All-Star preparation and for being patient and understanding in navigating the uncertainty created by the pandemic. The 2022 All-Star celebration promises to be a memorable one with events throughout the city and at picturesque Dodger Stadium.”
The Atlanta Braves are scheduled to host the 2021 All-Star Game at SunTrust Park. Beyond 2022, only the 2026 Midsummer Classic is scheduled — the Philadelphia Phillies are due to play host at Citizens Bank Park.
Dodger Stadium has not hosted an All-Star Game since 1980. During that span a California team held the Midsummer Classic seven times: California/L.A. Angels (1989, 2010), San Diego Padres (1992, 2016) and San Francisco Giants (1984, 2007). Furthermore, nine teams have twice played host during that same stretch.
“As excited as we were to host this year’s All-Star Game, we know that it will be worth the wait and that Dodger Stadium and Los Angeles will host a world-class event in 2022,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said.
“We’d like to thank Commissioner Rob Manfred for re-awarding All-Star Week to Los Angeles so quickly, as well as Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Gil Cedillo for their continued support of this premier sporting event, which will have lasting benefits for our community.”
MLB, the Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will honor their commitment to four All-Star Legacy Projects totaling $1.7 million. Originally scheduled to be revealed leading into the All-Star Game this year, the four projects will be unveiled at another time in 2020 (or when it is safe to gather) and will benefit the communities of South Los Angeles, Downtown Skid Row, Lincoln Heights and Chinatown.
“COVID-19 has forced us to make a lot of tough calls and sacrifices — and while it may have disrupted our plans for this year, we can’t wait to welcome baseball’s best to Los Angeles for the 2022 All-Star Game,” L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
“The Dodgers have always brought Angelenos together and baseball has helped America heal time and again. I look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world to our city and Dodger Stadium for this Midsummer Classic.
“I am thrilled that Council District 1 – home to the legendary Dodger Stadium – will get to host Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game here in 2022. This jewel event will give Los Angeles the opportunity to showcase all it has to offer fans from across the country, and we continue to be committed to making this an event that will leave a significant and lasting impact on our community,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Gil Cedillo.
The 2022 All-Star Game will mark the fourth time in franchise history that the Dodgers will hold the Midsummer Classic, including the third in Los Angeles and the second at Dodger Stadium.
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