In 2023 during an owner’s meeting, the MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the All-Star Weekend would return to Atlanta for the first time since 2000. Atlanta was previously scheduled to host the game in 2021 before Manfred and the MLB ultimately moved the game to Denver, Co., citing new voting laws in Georgia. Atlanta residents have long awaited the event’s return to show off Truist Park and the Battery Atlanta.
The festivities began on Friday night, where Truist Park hosted the third annual HBCU Swingman Classic featuring 50 of the best baseball players currently attending HBCUs. Players split into two teams featuring Braves Legends David Justice and Brian Jordan as the captains, and the teams faced off in a nine inning showdown.