MLB Could Return to the 2028 Olympic Games
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed optimism about the possible participation of Major League players in the baseball tournament of the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.
Following a recent owners’ meeting, Manfred indicated that talks are progressing to reach an agreement with the MLB Players Association, a key requirement for active players to compete in the Olympic event. The tournament would take place from July 13 to 19 at Dodger Stadium, coinciding with an extended All-Star Game break.
The negotiations are closer to materializing than on previous occasions and there is considerable momentum among the parties to resolve the outstanding issues.
Manfred highlighted that the opportunity to compete on American soil represents a valuable platform for the international projection of baseball.
The last time Los Angeles hosted a Summer Olympics was in 1984, when baseball was part of the program as an exhibition sport. On that occasion, the United States took second place after losing to Japan in the final. That college team featured figures who later became Major League stars.
If the participation of active MLB players in 2028 materializes, it would be the first time in history that the professional baseball elite competes in the Olympic Games, which would expand the international visibility of the sport, adding to events such as the World Baseball Classic.
