Press release Major League Baseball
ATLANTA – Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that Major League Baseball has awarded the 2021 All-Star Game Presented by Mastercard and accompanying All-Star Week events to the Atlanta Braves. The announcement was made at SunTrust Park prior to their game against the Washington Nationals. The 2021 All-Star Game will be Baseball’s 92nd Midsummer Classic.
This marks the third time that Atlanta will host the All-Star Game and it will be the first at SunTrust Park, the Club’s home since 2017. Atlanta Stadium held the 1972 Midsummer Classic, in which the Braves’ Hank Aaron hit a two-run homer as part of a 4-3 National League victory. Turner Field hosted the 2000 All-Star Game, in which Most Valuable Player Derek Jeter went 3-for-3 atop the American League lineup en route to the visiting side’s 6-3 win. (Before the Braves moved to Atlanta for the 1966 season, the franchise hosted the All-Star Game twice: 1936 in Boston and 1955 in Milwaukee.)
Commissioner Manfred said: “Major League Baseball is pleased to award our 2021 All-Star Game to the Braves and the City of Atlanta, which partnered on a compelling All-Star Week bid. We look forward to showcasing the best of our sport and the Braves’ new home, SunTrust Park, to a global audience.”
Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk said: “When we built SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta we envisioned our complex would be the perfect setting for an All-Star Game and we are thrilled to be able to showcase the ballpark, Cobb County and the City of Atlanta to the world. We would like to thank Commissioner Rob Manfred, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Dan Corso from the Atlanta Sports Council, William Pate from the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cobb County Chairman Mike Boyce and all the Cobb commissioners for their efforts in helping us secure this premiere event for our community.”
Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms said: “From this year’s Super Bowl to next year’s Final Four, Atlanta knows how to work with its partners to stage the greatest sports events in the world. Hosting the 2021 All-Star Game is an honor, and nothing could be more fitting for the hometown of the record holder for most All-Star Game selections — the Atlanta Braves’ own Hank Aaron. Thank you to Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball for choosing Atlanta to host what will surely be an All-Star Game for the record books.”
Cobb County Commissioner Chairman Mike Boyce said: “I congratulate the Atlanta Braves for their vision of SunTrust Park and Battery Atlanta. Clearly, this will make a tremendous hosting venue for the All-Star Game. We’re delighted with the announcement the All-Star Game is coming to Cobb County and look forward to hosting this event here. We will show the visitors to this county that when they come here they can expect the best and will get the best.”
The Braves will follow the two upcoming Midsummer Classic hosts: the Cleveland Indians, who will welcome the 90th All-Star Game to Progressive Field this July 9th, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will host the 2020 Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium, the first at the historic ballpark since 1980.