Philadelphia is about to get a major facelift courtesy of America’s pastime.
Major League Baseball and the Philadelphia Phillies are pouring more than $5 million into legacy projects across the city ahead of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, writes Lena Tillett for NBC10 Philadelphia.
The investments signal that All-Star Week is meant to be more than a flashy sports spectacle.
It’s also a chance to upgrade athletic spaces, back community organizations, and widen access to baseball, education, and neighborhood resources long after the cameras leave town.
At the center of it all is the transformation of Ashburn Field in South Philadelphia, a site with deep roots in the city’s All-Star history. It was originally built using proceeds from the 1996 All-Star Game, and now it’s getting a major upgrade three decades later.
“They’re going to get a turf field to play on right at Ashburn Field,” said April Brown, MLB’s senior vice president of social responsibility. “And kids from all over the neighborhood and kids playing in tournaments will have a brand new field to play on.”
MLB is also contributing $300,000 to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Miracle League, an organization dedicated to creating baseball opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.
Additional projects round out the league’s broader commitment to the city. This includes upgrades connected to the Shane Victorino Nicetown Boys & Girls Club, a new tribute honoring the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro Leagues, investments in the city’s Multi-Service Center for Veterans, and support for Tree House Books in North Philadelphia.
For Brown, the through-line connecting all of these efforts is simple.
The goal is “to really leave a legacy behind,” she said.
To see how MLB plans to make its All-Star Week impact last beyond the game, read NBC10 Philadelphia.
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