Major League Baseball to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial with fan engagement efforts throughout the summer

By | 12:31 PM EDT

New Marketing Campaign “For the People” Launches Today

MLB All-Stars to Walk the Red Carpet on Independence Mall Prior to the Midsummer Classic

Fans from Coast to Coast Can Celebrate Baseball & America with New, Unique Events

Major League Baseball today announced a series of new fan engagement initiatives to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial and baseball’s distinct place in the country. These efforts include a new marketing campaign, Fourth of July events at drive-in theaters, an original content series, and hosting the All-Star Red Carpet Show at a national landmark, as well as previously announced nationally broadcast games, uniform elements, volunteerism and more.

“Baseball has been part of the fabric of American life since the sport’s creation, bringing people together through shared traditions, unforgettable moments and the simple joy of spending time at the ballpark with family and friends,” said Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB Chief Marketing Officer & Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Partnerships. “Baseball brings Americans together, so as the National Pastime, we are proud to celebrate this special anniversary and to provide even more opportunities for people nationwide to engage with our sport this year. By creating these special opportunities honoring the country’s founding, we hope more fans than ever will enjoy memorable moments with baseball.”

“For the People” National Marketing Campaign

Debuting today with the first of multiple spots launching throughout the summer, this new campaign showcases how baseball has unified Americans as a communal experience for over 150 years and continues to play that integral role in the nation. Airing across broadcast, cable, digital, social and streaming, this first spot is narrated by award-winning actress and producer Quinta Brunson and features footage from ballparks around MLB. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its recording, the spot also features an unreleased, extended version of the iconic song “American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Additional creative is slated for release over the remainder of the baseball season, all highlighting the familiarity, community and comfort of baseball as an iconic tradition that has modernized as the country has.

“Baseball in America” Social-First Digital Content Series presented by Booking.com

Launching today, this digital content series created for social media first explores and celebrates how baseball permeates every state of the country. Forming a state-by-state journey, this series shows how baseball mirrors the pulse of the nation by highlighting a unique diamond sports story from each of the 50 United States. The first video details Alaska’s Midnight Sun Game and can be viewed across social media platforms @MLB.

Ballpark Expedition presented by T-Mobile

With Baseball fans annually endeavoring to complete the ultimate ballpark expedition by visiting all Major League stadiums, MLB developed a new digital platform to celebrate the individuality of MLB ballparks and foster more engaged, curated visits to these cathedrals of the game. Launching June 1, Ballpark Expedition presented by T-Mobile is accessible across MLB.com, the MLB app and the MLB Ballpark app. It includes three elements for fans to interact with: Journey to 30 Sweepstakes, Ballpark Guides and Journey to 30 Road Trip.

MLB 4th of July Celebration presented by Ford

Ford Motor Company, which topped Time Magazine’s inaugural list of America’s Most Iconic Companies, and Major League Baseball, earlier this season announced a new partnership that named Ford the Official Automotive Partner of MLB. This announcement firmly linked America’s National Pastime with the legendary auto manufacturer. Ford – the maker of F-Series, America’s best-selling truck, alongside Explorer, one of America’s most enduring family SUVs, and Bronco, the off-road SUV that helped define adventure – has also aligned with MLB to amplify league-organized July 4th activities and content as part of the MLB 4th of July Celebration. This is the first time that a brand has partnered with MLB to specifically highlight the holiday most closely associated with baseball.

Nationally Broadcast Holiday Weekend Games

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, MLB will feature a robust slate of nationally televised and streamed games across FOX, NBC, Peacock and Apple TV, with all 30 Clubs represented at least once throughout the weekend.

On Friday, July 3, Apple TV will stream its weekly Friday Night Baseball doubleheader with matchups to be announced. In celebration of America’s 250th, MLB fans can receive a 1-month free trial of Apple TV, beginning May 27. Fans get access to weekly live Friday Night Baseball games along with original TV series and movies, only on Apple TV. Visit apple.co/MLBoffer to redeem in the U.S. and Canada from May 27 through July 5.

On Saturday, July 4, FOX Saturday Baseball will feature regional coverage of the primetime holiday matchups between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves at 8 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, July 5, all 15 scheduled MLB games will air live on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN in the U.S. as part of “Star-Spangled Sunday,” highlighted by two exclusive NBC broadcasts, the New York Mets at Atlanta Braves at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT and Sunday Night Baseball primetime matchup between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at 7:20 p.m. ET/4:20 p.m. PT. Select additional games will simulcast across NBC Sports regional and national platforms. The complete holiday weekend schedule will be announced at a later date.

MLB Summer Drive-In presented by Ford

This formative fan experience brings together baseball and cinema on the Fourth of July. MLB is collaborating with four drive-in movie theaters in the U.S. to provide Americans with a new way to cap off Independence Day celebrations. Drive-ins located in Vineland, NJ; McHenry, IL; Blue Ridge, GA; and Paramount, CA will air their respective hometown team’s game on the big screen after screening the classic childhood baseball movie “The Sandlot.” Each drive-in location will also feature unique activations such as Ballpark Bites and local food trucks, PLAY BALL activities and fireworks.

To round out Fourth of July festivities, the Boston Red Sox High-A affiliate based in South Carolina, the Greenville Drive, will host a full day of celebrations inside their ballpark, Fluor Field. A carnival atmosphere culminates in a picnic-like viewing of this drive-in movie experience, fireworks and all.

Uniforms

During all MLB games on the Fourth of July, teams will sport newly designed Nike jerseys with stars and stripes-themed numbers, as well as red, white and blue New Era caps and Stance socks to visually represent and pay tribute to the nation’s founding. An exclusive USA 250® patch developed by Fanatics in conjunction with the major U.S. sports leagues will also be featured on the sleeves of the jerseys and sides of the caps throughout those Independence Day games. During the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 13, participants’ traditional home Club jerseys will feature stars-and-stripes-designed numbers as well as the USA 250® sleeve patch. Then, during the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on July 14, players will wear their home and road Club jerseys with the USA 250® sleeve patch. Fans can purchase the 4th of July jerseys, caps and socks beginning June 15 on MLBShop.com, Fanatics.com and at the MLB Flagship Store (NYC), among other select retailers.

Ballpark Activations on the Fourth of July

MLB ballparks across the country will feature a variety of special elements around their Fourth of July games, including postgame fireworks shows, field stencils, custom giveaways, in-game entertainment and military member recognitions.

PLAY BALL Events

As part of Major League Baseball’s celebration of America’s 250th, MLB is hosting some of its PLAY BALL events that encourage youth participation at or near iconic American locations. On May 16, MLB hosted over 100 kids from the Plymouth, MA area for an on-field event. This special event included an educational component and a trip to Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower. MLB is also hosting a PLAY BALL event at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City, SD, on June 3, where local participants will visit Mount Rushmore following the event as a lead-in to PLAY BALL Weekend. Then, over the 4th of July weekend, MLB is hosting a PLAY BALL event at Growden Memorial Field in Fairbanks, AK.

All-Star Red Carpet Show on Independence Mall

When MLB celebrates America’s Semiquincentennial with the Midsummer Classic and All-Star Week in the nation’s birthplace of Philadelphia, America’s National Pastime will also bring its greatest players to America’s Most Historic Square Mile as the annual All-Star Red Carpet Show takes place at Independence Mall on Tuesday, July 14. Independence Mall is the three-block section of Independence National Historical Park that lies directly north of Independence Hall, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The All-Star Red Carpet Show is where MLB All-Stars annually showcase their personal style and greet the worldwide media with their families. The event airs nationally on MLB Network mere hours before the 96th All-Star Game and will be free and open to the public while Independence National Historical Park remains open to visitors. Additional information on how to claim a free ticket for access to the Red Carpet’s Fan Zone will be announced prior to All-Star Week.

All-Star Week

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, which will be hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies this summer, is an important part of MLB’s celebration for America’s 250th. The Midsummer Classic returns to the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago, marking the first time Citizens Bank Park will host the event since its opening in 2004 and 50 years since Philadelphia hosted the All-Star Game for the nation's Bicentennial in 1976. Throughout All-Star Week, the city will serve as the hub for MLB’s national celebration and its service efforts, featuring community-led legacy projects and volunteer activations.

MLB Together Volunteer Campaign

During All-Star Week in Philadelphia, MLB Together and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will refurbish the Shane Victorino Club’s facilities and ballfield to provide local youth with improved spaces to play and grow. Approximately 100 volunteers will dedicate hours to MLB Together’s yearlong goal of 250,000. For more information on MLB Together’s season-long initiative and to find volunteer opportunities in your area, visit MLBTogether.com/A250.

MLB Together in January launched a league-wide volunteer campaign intent on achieving 250,000 collective volunteer hours by the end of 2026 in honor of America’s 250th celebration. This MLB Together initiative combines the efforts of the Commissioner’s Office, all 30 MLB Clubs, all 120 Minor League Clubs, players of all levels and MLB’s charitable partners to celebrate the country through community service, connecting baseball as an important part of America’s past, present and future.

MLB is a partner of America250, the official nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration. The MLB Together volunteer commitment aligns with America250’s initiative called ‘America Gives,’ which is designed to make 2026 the largest year of volunteerism in U.S. history.

American Museum of Natural History exhibit: For the Win

MLB donated select artifacts to the American Museum of Natural History in New York for the museum’s new exhibit, For the Win, which showcases the tradition of using precious metals and gemstones to commemorate victory. Baseball awards and mementos on display for the next 18 months as part of this historic collection include a World Series trophy, Home Run Derby chains and select former players’ trophies, such as Yogi Berra’s Babe Ruth Crown, awarded in 1975 for his lifetime batting achievements with the New York Yankees.

Fan Apparel and Souvenirs

Licensed apparel and souvenir partners of MLB, such as Outerstuff, Antigua and For Bare Feet, have created commemorative merchandise such as baseball caps, tees, hoodies and shorts with MLB’s custom logo that symbolizes the deep-rooted connection between the United States and the national pastime. Developed for fans of all ages and available at MLBShop.com, the MLB Flagship Store on Avenue of the Americas in New York City, and ballparks around the league, brands including New Era Cap, Stance and College Concepts made these products in conjunction with MLB to showcase the connection between baseball and the country.

Business Partner Activations

More than 25 business partners of Major League Baseball are activating around MLB’s celebrations of America’s Semiquincentennial, including national sponsors such as Booking.com, Ford, Mark West, Primo Brands and T-Mobile, consumer product licensees and retailers, as well as all national broadcasters.

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