It's official: the MLB All-Star Game is coming back to the Bay Area.
On Friday morning, Major League Baseball announced that the San Francisco Giants will host the 2028 All-Star Game at Oracle Park.
This will be the sixth time in franchise history that the Giants host the Midsummer Classic, the fourth time since moving to San Francisco and the second time in their current stadium. The city of San Francisco previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1961 and 1984 in Candlestick Park, while Oracle Park (then known as AT&T Park) last hosted in 2007.
The Giants, who have played in San Francisco since 1958, also hosted All-Star festivities twice during their past tenure in New York. Both the 1934 and 1942 All-Star Games were played in the Polo Grounds in Manhattan.
The last time the All-Star Game was held in San Francisco, the American League defeated the National League 5-4. Future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners won All-Star Game MVP for hitting a two-run inside-the-park home run, the first (and only) in Midsummer Classic history, to give the AL a lead it wouldn't relinquish.
Another future Hall of Famer, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. of the Los Angeles Angels, won the Home Run Derby. Barry Bonds, who was 42 years old and playing in his final season, was the Giants' lone All-Star and started in left field.
Shortly after San Francisco was officially announced as the 2028 host, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the 2029 and 2030 All-Star Games have expected hosts. The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to host the 2029 Midsummer Classic at Rogers Centre, while the Baltimore Orioles expect to host in 2030 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Nightengale also noted that the 2028 Summer Olympics may have influenced the decision to select San Francisco as host. Baseball will be featured at the Olympics and played in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles; by keeping the All-Star Game in California, this reduces travel for players participating in both events.
Before the Giants host, the Chicago Cubs will host next season's All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. The Philadelphia Phillies hosted this year's game at Citizens Bank Park.
