Manfred confirms Orioles' continuing interest in hosting All-Star Game

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Orioles haven’t hosted baseball’s All-Star Game since 1993, the second year of Camden Yards' existence. Back when they wanted to show it off to the world.

They’re on the radar again, which promises nothing but keeps them in the conversation.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said this morning that the club has “definitely” expressed an interest in the Midsummer Classic. The next available date is 2027, after Atlanta next year and Philadelphia in 2026.

A new ownership group headed by David Rubenstein has made securing the event a priority.

“We hope by that time the stadium will be rehabilitated a bit, and therefore, we’d like to show it off,” Rubenstein said on March 28. “Once we have the rehabilitated Camden Yards, I think it would be a great time to then show it off. We’ll make sure we have it completed, though, but we are interested in it and I am familiar with the situation.”

A new lease can allow the Orioles to net $600 million toward renovations of the ballpark, which should include a new scoreboard and sound system.

Manfred said the ownership transition – Rubenstein purchased the team from the Angelos family in a deal that values the franchise at $1.725 billion – leaves a past application in "flux." He also stressed that improvements to Camden Yards aren’t a requirement.

“I don’t see the completion of the renovation as necessarily dictating the timing of when that game takes place,” he said.

Manfred spoke at the annual Baseball Writers’ Association of America meeting held prior to the All-Star Game.

The Orioles reportedly were a finalist in 2025. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias noted in Saturday’s dugout media scrum how the organization wants it back.

“I don’t have any special knowledge about that,” he said of Baltimore’s chances. “I know everyone here would love it and we talk about it a lot. The last time the game was here, which was a long time ago, it was a really memorable All-Star Game, and this is a special ballpark and it’s one of the crown jewels of Major League Baseball, and we need to have the All-Star Game here again soon. I’m sure that’s coming soon. I’m really hopeful that it is.

“Our management team’s making every effort, but also we have these new voices in the ownership group that I’m sure will be pushing for that, as well.”

The Blue Jays haven’t hosted since 1991, and Manfred replied to a direct question about that franchise’s absence by saying that a “significant factor” should be the last time that the event came to a particular city.

The Cubs last hosted at Wrigley Field in 1990. The All-Star Game has never been played at Tropicana Field, with the Rays in a prolonged battle to receive rights to a new ballpark.

This week marked the first time that the Rangers hosted at Globe Life Field. The 1995 event was held at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Manfred addressed why Major League Baseball brought the All-Star Game this year to the only city that doesn’t recognize “Pride Night.”

“There are a whole host of factors that go into deciding who gets an All-Star Game,” he said. “I don’t view whether you had a ‘Pride Night’ or not as an outcome-determinant issue. It’s an issue. We look at all those issues and try to make a decision and give it to the place that we thin is going to be the best."

Manfred also cited the massive public investment made toward the new facility and called it “an important consideration in terms of awarding All-Star Games.”

Corbin Burnes is the American League's starting pitcher tonight, with Gunnar Henderson at shortstop and Adley Rutschman catching. Outfielder Anthony Santander and infielder Jordan Westburg are reserves. Head athletic trainer Brian Ebel also will be in the dugout.