The 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby is set to transform the midsummer showcase, taking place under the historic lights of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Eastern, with the derby itself kicking off at 8 p.m. ET, promising a prime‑time spectacle for fans across the country.
For the first time, the competition will adopt a set‑swing structure: 20 swings in the opening round, followed by 15 in the second, and another 15 in the decisive final. This format is designed to heighten drama and reward consistency, giving power hitters a clear rhythm to showcase their precision.
A New Format Takes Shape
Eight of the league’s most prolific power hitters have earned invitations, among them Dominican sensation Junior Caminero, veteran slugger Bryce Harper, and reigning champion Kyle Schwarber. They will be joined by Jac Caglianone, Ben Rice, Willson Contreras, Jordan Walker and Munetaka Murakami, each bringing a distinct blend of raw power and refined technique.
The event will be streamed live on Netflix, which has secured exclusive streaming rights. In addition to the broadcast, MLB will complement the coverage with a real‑time virtual tracker that displays each participant’s hit count, trajectory and distance, adding a data‑driven layer that mirrors the analytics fans have come to expect from modern baseball.
The format shift follows Cal Raleigh’s triumph in the 2025 edition, where he edged Junior Caminero in a thrilling final at Truist Park. That dramatic finish underscored the competitive depth of the field and set the stage for an even more electrifying showdown this year.