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SportsMLB All-Star Game draws 8.794M viewers, highest since 2008
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The 2026 MLB All-Star Game, held in Philadelphia and broadcast on FOX and FOX Deportes, drew an average audience of 8.794 million viewers, making it the most-watched Midsummer Classic since 2008. The game, which saw the American League defeat the National League 4-0, peaked at 10.186 million viewers between 8:45-9:00 PM ET. This represents a 21% increase over the 2025 All-Star Game (7.185 million). FOX also reported strong regular-season viewership, averaging 2.266 million viewers heading into the break, a 10% year-over-year increase and the network's best start since adopting the April schedule in 2023. Additionally, FOX's MLB All-Star Game Selection Show drew 5.897 million viewers, the highest since the show's inception in 2007, boosted by its placement near FIFA World Cup broadcasts.
Source report
The 96th Midsummer Classic delivered strong viewership on FOX, continuing MLB's trend of hosting the most-watched All-Star Game across all major sports.
Tuesday's game in Philadelphia, in which the American League shut out the National League 4-0, drew an average audience of 8.794 million viewers across FOX and FOX Deportes. This marks the most-watched Midsummer Classic since 2008 (8.7 million).
According to Nielsen, the game peaked at 10.186 million viewers between 8:45 pm and 9:00 pm ET.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game was up +21% compared to last year's broadcast (7.185 million).
Five-Year Viewership Trend
Below shows MLB All-Star Game viewership over the last five years.
FOX Regular Season Performance
FOX continues to post strong numbers for Major League Baseball. The network is averaging 2.266 million viewers heading into the All-Star break, a +10% increase over last year. This represents FOX's best start to the regular season since adopting the April-start schedule in 2023.
Notable Highlights
- July 4th Saturday Baseball: FOX drew 3,335,000 viewers for a two-game slate headlined by the Cardinals' victory over the Cubs. This was the most-watched regular season game on any network since the 2021 MLB at Field of Dreams Game on FOX (5,912,000 viewers).
- All-Star Game Selection Show: By slotting alongside FIFA World Cup coverage, FOX Sports attracted 5,897,000 viewers for "The MLB All-Star Game Selection Show" — the most-watched edition of the show on any network since its inception in 2007.
Source
Forbes - BusinessWestern
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MLB All-Star Game Posts Best Viewership Since 2008