washington business
MLB ’ s 2023 All-Star Week is coming to Seattle July 7-11 , bringing with it dozens of players , thousands of fans and millions of dollars in economic impact .
The Mariners are having a moment .
Last October , the team made it to the postseason for the first time since 2001 , ending the longest active playoff drought in any of the four major professional sports . Tickets for opening day of the 2023 regular season sold out in February , more than a month in advance of the March 30 game . And outfielder Julio Rodriguez , better known as J-Rod and the 2022 American League Rookie of the Year , graced the cover of Sports Illustrated ’ s MLB preview issue in April .
In case that ’ s not enough excitement , the Midsummer Classic is returning to the Emerald City in July . Seattle will be home to the 2023 MLB All-Star Week , which is expected to draw more than 100,000 people to the area for the All-Star Game , Home Run Derby and other accompanying events .
The players and fans aren ’ t the only ones who are excited . Local businesses , from hotels and restaurants to shops and attractions , are eager to welcome the crowds .
“ This is the first big opportunity we ’ ve had in the last three years to really roll out the red carpet for visitors ,” said Beth Knox , president and CEO of the Seattle Sports Commission . “ We ’ ve seen an increase in visitor traffic over the past year and a half to two years , and it feels like this summer is a chance to throw those doors wide open .”
At A Glance
Seattle is hosting the 2023 All-Star Week July 7-11 .
The five-day event is expected to bring more than 100,000 fans to the area and generate at least $ 50 million in economic impact .
The economic benefits are expected to extend beyond Seattle to the surrounding region as visitors explore nearby communities .
Seattle will be hosting many other high-profile sporting events in the coming years , including the 2024 NHL Winter Classic and the 2026 FIFA World Cup .
www . mlb . com / mariners / fans / all-star-game
“ This is the first big opportunity we ’ ve had in the last three years to really roll out the red carpet for visitors .”
— Beth Knox , president and CEO of the Seattle Sports Commission collaboration and community
Although the timing might seem uncannily perfect , 2023 MLB All-Star Week planning actually began back in 2019 , long before the Mariners were playoff contenders . The Mariners first approached the MLB about hosting the event in 2024 or 2025 , but after the pandemic forced the league to shuffle dates and locations around , 2023 emerged as a possibility . Visit Seattle , the official destination marketing organization for Seattle and King County , worked closely with the Mariners and the Seattle Sports Commission to develop the winning bid .
“ The Mariners , of course , have been extraordinarily instrumental in the process . They are providing the information on the logistics of the ballpark and their capacity and contributions , which are immense ,” said Kelly Saling , senior vice president and chief sales officer at Visit Seattle , who noted that the Seattle Sports Commission was part of Visit Seattle when the bidding process began . “ We are taking the lead on hotel accommodations , airlift to the region and venues outside of the ballpark .”
This will be the third time Seattle has hosted the All-Star Game . In 1979 , the National League beat the American League at the Kingdome , and in 2001 , the American League won at what was then called Safeco Field .
Over the last two decades , the event has expanded far beyond the namesake game and popular Home Run Derby . The final schedule for the 2023 All-Star Week is jam-packed with activities . Festivities will kick off on July 7 with the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic , which will provide an opportunity for student-athletes from historically black colleges and universities ( HBCUs ) to showcase their talent . On July 8 , T-Mobile Park will be home to the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game and the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game . The MLB Draft will begin on July 9 and run for three days , and the Home Run Derby will take place on July 10 . The event will close with the Red Carpet Show and All-Star Game on July 11 .
Between events , fans can visit Capital One Play Ball Park at Lumen Field and the Lumen Field Events Center . The fan festival will offer a variety of ways for attendees to immerse themselves in the sport , including batting cages , meet and greets , virtual reality experiences , a silent auction and gaming stations .
“ What I most love about hosting these kinds of events is the chance for our local community to be a part of them . Not everyone can afford a ticket to the Home Run Derby or the All- Star Game itself , but they can participate in some of the free or really affordable events that will be taking place in and around the
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