With the Atlanta Braves hosting this upcoming All-Star Game, being able to showcase to the entire league the new area outside of the park titled "The Battery," I thought to myself that the Washington Nationals should host another MLB All-Star Game in the near future.
This is for many reasons, including that the Nats have their own version of the battery in Atlanta "The Bullpen". The bullpen has hosted many festivals in the past and of course the All-Star Game in 2018. However, I think it's time for the midsummer classic to come back to the district.
The Nationals thrived when given the opportunity to host the All-Star Game in 2018. That year, the city and stadium were on full display for the entire league to see, from the Home Run Derby to the Futures Game and even the festivities outside for the game were a huge success for the city. Things like Fanfest and community outreach programs showed the Nationals’ commitment to not just putting on a game, but putting on a show for all the people that traveled for this experience. The experience of 2018 was widely praised for its execution and the positive impact on the local economy.
Also hosting another All-Star Game would bring a significant economic boost to the region as well as to MLB. The 2018 All-Star Game brought an estimated $50 to $60 million in economic activity, benefiting local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and transit services. Furthermore with DC having a very loyal fanbase of people willing to spend money on experienves this would be great for the league as well. One hand washes the other. Hosting another All-Star Game would also continue to elevate Washington, D.C. as a national sports hub that it is already becoming.
Finally, the Nationals themselves are an increasingly popular and hopefully competitive team with young players such as CJ Abrams Mackenzie Gore and especially the big fella James Wood, an All-Star Game hosted by these guys would give them an opportunity to be marketed league wide in a way that they many times are not. The loyal fanbase that consistently fills Nationals Park is ripe to support its players in a major way.
All in all, the Washington Nationals and Nationals Park have everything needed to host a memorable MLB All-Star Game: a world-class stadium, a city that can handle major events, a passionate fanbase, and a growing regional economy. They have done it before they can do it again. The time is coming for Washington, D.C. to once again shine as the home of Major League Baseball’s premier event.