Saturday, May 30, 2026

MLB All-Star Game Ratings Slump Continues

  • The MLB ASG has set a low viewership in five of the game’s last seven editions.
  • It remains the most-watched All-Star event in sports, beating the NBA and NFL.
The MLB ASG has set a low viewership in five of the game’s last seven editions.
Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game averaged a 3.9 Nielsen rating and 7.01 million viewers on FOX, slumping to record-low viewership for the Midsummer Classic.

The game reached 7.09 million viewers across all FOX platforms and was down 7% from the previous MLB ASG ratings low set last year, according to SportsMediaWatch. Viewership for the MLB All-Star Game has now set a new low in five of the past seven years the game was played (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023).

In 2014, the MLB All-Star Game averaged a 7.0 Nielsen rating 11.34 million viewers. This year’s game topped out at 7.57 million peak viewers, still serving as the most-watched All-Star event in sports. Disney’s coverage of the NFL Pro Bowls Games in January mustered 6.28 million viewers, while February’s NBA All-Star Game on TNT and TBS had 4.59M viewers.

Host city Seattle was Fox’s leading market for MLB ASG viewership, followed by Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia to round out the top five.

Both of MLB’s marquee All-Star break events face declining viewership, as ESPN’s coverage of the Home Run Derby on Monday averaged 6.11 million viewers, its lowest total since 2018.

However, MLB’s All-Star Game and Home Run Derby still performed favorably compared to last year’s MLB Postseason games outside of the World Series. The most-watched 2022 playoff game before the World Series was Yankees-Astros Game 2 in the ALCS, which averaged 5.89 million viewers on TBS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 27, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) after the win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

MLB Labor Talks Face Long Road and Certain Change

The initial salvos reinforced how differently owners and players view the sport.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; General view of the field during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Labor Talks Escalate With Owners’ Salary Cap Pitch to Union

Eight teams would need to shed payroll under the proposed structure.

Sacramento’s Bid Intensifies MLB’s Complex Expansion Derby

The California capital city formally unveils its bid to land a club.

Featured Today

Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
May 22, 2026

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Aug 17, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; A general view shows Sports Illustrated Stadium and Gotham FC logos before the game between Gotham FC and the Houston Dash.
exclusive

Several Longtime Writers Laid Off at Sports Illustrated

Writers Greg Bishop and Michael Rosenberg were laid off in a round of cuts on Friday.
Oxford, MS - November 4, 2023 - The Grove: Wright Thompson on the set of Marty & McGee.
May 28, 2026

Wright Thompson Bullish on Literary Sportswriting ‘Renaissance’

The ESPN senior writer also explained why he left Twitter/X.
WWE AAA
May 29, 2026

Why WWE Is Airing One of Its Most Anticipated Shows on YouTube

The mask vs. mask match won’t be hard to find.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
opinion
May 27, 2026

Pat McAfee’s ESPN Value on Full Display in Commissioner Parade

McAfee’s special featured several league commissioners, athletes, and analysts.
May 27, 2026

Why Roland-Garros Is Correcting Everyone About Its Name Now

The tournament started in 1891.
Charles Robinson Yahoo Sports
exclusive
May 27, 2026

Yahoo Sports Lays Off Prominent NFL Reporters

Charles Robinson and Charles McDonald were among those let go.
Dec 3, 2022; Al Rayyan, Qatar; United States of America manager Gregg Berhalter acknowledges fans after losing a round of sixteen match against the Netherlands in the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive
May 27, 2026

FanDuel Launching World Cup Show With 3 Former USMNT Coaches

‘Coaches Corner’ will debut its first of 10 episodes on June 1.