ATLANTA — The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is set to return to Atlanta in 2025, sources told 11Alive on Thursday.
The decision to return the midsummer classic to Truist Park comes just two years after Atlanta was set to host the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, but reaction to a sweeping change in the state's voting laws passed the same year caused the game to get pushed out of Georgia.
Commissioner of Baseball Robert Manfred Jr. announced at the time that the decision came after extensive discussions with clubs, players, the Players Association, and others regarding voting rights and recent developments in Georgia.
“I commend Terry McGuirk, Derek Schiller, the entire Braves organization and the Atlanta Sports Council for leading this effort. As a model of success on and off the field, the Braves deserve to host the All-Star Game," Manfred said. "Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta will provide fans a world-class experience in 2025. We look forward to working with the Braves and local leaders to deliver a memorable All-Star Week that brings people together and benefits the community in many ways.”
The 2021 All-Star Game was awarded to Atlanta's Truist Park by Major League Baseball in 2019, but was then moved to Denver's Coors Field after Manfred's decision. The Braves released a statement at the time saying they were "deeply disappointed" in MLB's decision.
The law that came under fire was the Election Integrity Act of 2021, which requires an ID number, like a driver’s license, to apply for an absentee ballot and cuts off absentee ballot applications 11 days before an election. It also limits the number of absentee ballot drop boxes; allows the state to take control of what it calls “underperforming” local election systems; and disallows volunteers from giving away food and drink to voters waiting in lines.
The ban on giving away food and drink was partially struck down by a federal judge in August, but much of the rest of the law was upheld - at least for next year - by the same judge last month.
After the decision was made in 2021, a federal lawsuit was filed by Job Creators Network against MLB, its commissioner and the MLB Players Association. The suit demanded the All-Star Game return to Cobb County, while also requesting $100 million in damages to local and state small businesses -- citing minority-owned businesses still recovering from the pandemic that would no longer benefit from the economic impact.
A judge later rejected the effort to return the MLB All-Star Game to Truist Park and the organization withdrew their federal lawsuit.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted out the following in response to MLB's decision on Thursday.
Back in July, Manfred said that Atlanta was "in the mix" to host the 2025 MLB All-Star game, but that decision has now become official.
“We are thrilled that Major League Baseball has awarded the Atlanta Braves the 2025 All-Star Game. Time and time again, Atlanta has proven to be a world-class destination for the most exciting entertainment and sporting events," Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk said. "I am excited that baseball fans will have the opportunity to experience Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta along with all this area has to offer. Over the coming months, we look forward to working alongside MLB to create memorable experiences that will showcase and support our community.”
Atlanta last hosted the MLB midsummer classic in 2000 at Turner Field, one of only two times the game has come to the Peach State. It will be the 95th edition of the MLB All-Star Game.
“We are honored to be selected by MLB to host the All-Star Game in our region once again. Being awarded this event is a testament to what the Atlanta Braves have accomplished as an organization and the experience they have built at Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta," said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council. "We look forward to beginning the planning process alongside the Braves to create an unforgettable experience for baseball fans from around the country. This event continues to solidify Atlanta as the premier destination for hosting major, global sporting events.”