A general view of the stadium in the third inning during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 4, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.
Justin Edmonds | Getty Images
Major League Baseball will hold its 2021 All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver, the league said on Tuesday.
MLB announced the just change days after relocating Atlanta’s game due to a controversial voting law passed by state officials in Georgia. MLB opposed the law, which critics suggest is aimed to suppress votes among people of color in underserved areas.
MLB selected Denver as officials in the city previously presented a plan to host the game at a future date. The last time Denver hosted the baseball’s midsummer classic was in 1998. According to baseball-almanac, that event generated over $40 million for the area.
“Major League Baseball is grateful to the Rockies, the City of Denver and the State of Colorado for their support of this summer’s All-Star Game,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We appreciate their flexibility and enthusiasm to deliver a first-class event for our game and the region. We look forward to celebrating our sport’s best players and entertaining fans around the world.”
MLB has faced backlash from politicians for moving the game and also faced opposition from the Braves, which is owned by Liberty Media Corp. An official from Cobb Travel and Tourism in Georgia told CNN the state could suffer an economic loss of over $100 million due to the relocation.
“The 8,000-plus MLB contracted hotel room nights that will not actualize as a result of the MLB All-Star Game relocation will have a negative impact on Cobb’s hospitality industry and other local businesses, further delaying recovery,” said Holly Quinlan, the CEO of firm, according to the network.
The 2019 All-Star contest was estimated to generate more than $60 million for Cleveland and the 2020 event was projected to bring in roughly $89 million for Los Angeles. Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles will host the 2022 All-Star Game after missing it in 2020 due to the pandemic.
