The Mid-Summer Classic is slated to be held at New York’s Citi Field this coming July and the 2014 event has already been scheduled for Target Field in Minnesota, but with Spring Training right around the corner it’s getting to be that time of year when Major League Baseball announces which city will get to host the next event down the line. The two leagues alternate each year which one hosts the event, with newer stadiums typically getting some degree of preferential treatment in the decision making process.
Great American Ballpark has already hosted some big games, but will reportedly be the host of the 2015 All Star Game. (Image Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports)
Three teams were known to be bidding for the 2015 game – the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Washington Nationals – but according to reports coming out late Monday the game will be awarded to Cincinnati. An official announcement is expected for Wednesday.
If reports are accurate, this will be the first All Star Game to be held at Great American Ballpark (which opened in 2003) and the first time Cincinnati has gotten to host the event since 1988.
The All Star Game, Home Run Derby and accompanying FanFest events have become sure-fire sell outs for the hosting teams and cities, driving revenues over the five day span that events fall within. Cincinnati ownership has been pushing to host the event since taking over the franchise in 2006, but they weren’t expected to be the favorite to win the 2015 event. That honor was expected to go to Washington, who’ll now likely have to wait at least until 2017 for the honor.