The 2026 Home Run Derby is not only going to be exclusively streamed on Netflix for the first time, but more change for the event is coming by way of the rules and format adjustments.
Most prominent is the elimination of a timer that’s been in place for every Home Run Derby since 2015. Instead, this year’s participants are going to be part of a swing-based format.
Thus, sluggers will be granted 20 swings in the first round, and 15 in both the semifinals and championship round. Any swing will count against a player’s allotment regardless of whether it producers a home run or not.
This change should alleviate some of the burden and fatigue on Home Run Derby participants as they will no longer feel pressured to race against the clock. Though, stamina could come into play through a new rule that allows a hitter to continue swinging if they homer on their final hack of the round. In that case, the participant will continue swinging until they make an out.
The added wrinkle seemingly replaces hitters receiving three extra outs at the end of their timed round under the prior Home Run Derby format.
What is remaining the same, specifically from 2024 and 2025, is the Home Run Derby will not have a bracket format for the first round. Players with the top four home run totals from Round 1 will advance to the semifinals, where they then will be seeded in a bracket with No. 1 facing No. 4 and No. 2 matching up with No. 3 to determine who reaches the championship.
Ties in the first round will be broken by whichever player hit a longer home run. In the second and third rounds, a tie is going be broken by each player three extra swings.
Home Run Derby quick facts
The 2026 Home Run Derby is taking place on Monday, July 13, at Citizens Bank Park. Coverage on Netflix begins at 4 p.m. PT with the event officially starting at 5 p.m.
Format changes mean hitters aren’t subject to a timer or any outs. There is not a bonus round no a bracket setup for the opening round of all eight participants.
Tiebreakers will be determined by home run distance in first round, and three-swing swing-offs in the semifinals and championship.
Any swing taken counts toward a player’s allotment. Players have 20 swings in Round 1, and 15 in Rounds 2 and 3.
Home Run Derby participants
Thus far there are six confirmed participants for the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia.
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Harper is competing in the Home Run Derby for a third time. He won the 2018 event in Washington D.C. as a member of the Washington Nationals, and was the runner-up in 2013. Harper, Ryne Sandberg (1990) and Todd Frazier (2015) are the only players to win the Derby in his home ballpark.
Harper marks a 28th appearance by a player from the host team.
Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals
Walker is a first-time All-Star and also is making his Derby debut. He’s looking to become the first member of the St. Louis Cardinals to ever win the event.
Willson Contreras, Boston Red Sox
Willson Contreras is another first-time Home Run Derby participant. The four-time All-Star is on pace to set a new career high in homers this season.
Contreras is the seventh different Red Sox player (11th appearance overall) to partake in the Home Run Derby. David Ortiz (2010) is the lone Red Sox hitter to ever win the event.
Conteras also can join Bobby Abreu (2005) as the only Venezuela natives to be crowned Home Run Derby champion.
Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals
Jac Caglianone is the sixth Kansas City Royals player to participate in the Derby. Bobby Witt Jr. was last to do so in 2024, when he fell short against Teoscar Hernández.
Ben Rice, New York Yankees
Ben Rice is yet another player who is in the Home Run Derby for the first time. He’s the eighth different player and marks an 11th overall appearance by a Yankees hitter.
Tino Martinez (1997), Jason Giami (2002), Robinson Canó (2011) and Aaron Judge (2017) are Yankees Home Run Derby winners.
The Yankees and Seattle Mariners are the only franchises with four Home Run Derby winners all-time.
Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
Junior Caminero was first to commit for the 2026 Home Run Derby. He’s participating in the event for a second consecutive year and is looking to build on finishing as a runner-up in 2025.
Caminero is the Rays’ first two-time participant and he’s vying to become their first winner. Should the rising star win the event, Caminero would be the youngest Home Run Derby champion ever at 23 years, eight days (as of July 13, 2026).
Juan Gonzalez, then with the Texas Rangers in 1993, is currently the youngest Home Run Derby winner at 23 years, 265 days.
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