The 2023 MLB All-Star game hit a new all-time low in viewership with 7.01 million viewers. It’s been a troubling trend for MLB, as new lows have been set in five of the past seven years.
Despite investing in new technology to entice fans to watch the sport’s pinnacle exhibition game, the All-Star game continues to trend downward as a national must-watch.
However, MLB’s All-Star Game remains the most-watched All-Star contest in sports. It saw its best days in the 70s and 80s when over 25 million viewers tuned in virtually every year.
The 1976 MLB All-Star Game is the most-watched game with 36.3 million viewers. The game marked two distinctive events: the bicentennial anniversary of the United States and the 100th anniversary of the National League.
The game was the first-ever held at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, with President Gerald Ford throwing the first pitch. On the field, the National League dominated and defeated the American League 7-1.
Second is the 1980 MLB All-Star Game which was watched by 36.27 million viewers. The game featured revered players such as Dale Murphy, Reggie Smith, and Reggie Jackson showcasing their skills in Los Angeles.
The National League was riding an eight-game winning streak. Even though the American League led 2-1 until the sixth inning, the National League stormed back to win 4-2. Ken Griffey of the Reds was named All-Star Game MVP, highlighted by a fifth-inning home run.
The 1978 MLB All-Star Game is third with 35.5 million viewers.
The American League started off controlling the game with a 3-0 lead. But the National League had become adept at comebacks and shut out the American League from that point forward. The NL won 7-3, stemming from a four-run eighth inning.
Three of the five most-watched MLB All-Star games were played in the 70s.
2023’s tickets were the most expensive ever. Yet it still attracted only 7.01 million total viewers, four times less than the 1985 MLB All-Star Game, which is tenth on the list.
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game reversed recent trends, attracting 7.6 million total viewers. MLB is hoping the upward trend of ratings and attendance continues after a successful season.
Ranking The Most Watched MLB All-Star Games Ever
Here is the complete list of the top 10 most-watched MLB All-Star games based on total viewership. The list was compiled using historical data from Baseball Almanac.
- Updated: November 27, 2024
| Ranking | Year | Winner | Final Score | Viewers |
| 1 | 1976 | National League | 7-1 | 36.3 million |
| 2 | 1980 | National League | 3-2 | 36.27 million |
| 3 | 1978 | National League | 7-3 | 35.5 million |
| 4 | 1982 | National League | 4-1 | 34.1 million |
| 5 | 1979 | National League | 7-6 | 31.98 million |
| 6 | 1977 | National League | 7-5 | 31 million |
| 7 | 1988 | American League | 2-1 | 29.5 million |
| 8 | 1984 | National League | 3-1 | 28.5 million |
| 9 | 1987 | National League | 2-0 | 28.4 million |
| 10 | 1985 | National League | 6-1 | 28.2 million |
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