Giants Reportedly 'Front-Runner' to Host 2028 ASG If MLB Players Compete in Olympics

San Francisco's Oracle Park, home of the Giants, is reportedly the frontrunner to host the MLB All-Star game in 2028 if MLB players participate in that year's Summer Olympics, which will take place in Los Angeles from July 14-30.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported the exclusive news on Tuesday.

San Francisco has hosted the All-Star Game three times: 1961, 1984 and 2007. The first two All-Star Games occurred in Candlestick Park, while the 2007 Midsummer Classic took place in Oracle Park, which was known as AT&T Park at the time.

The baseball portion of the Olympics is set for Saturday, July 15 to Thursday, July 20 in Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium.

The All-Star Game is always held on a Tuesday in mid-July. If MLB wants to keep with that schedule, the league could hold the MLB All-Star Game could be held on Tuesday, July 11.

Players participating in the Olympics could take a quick hour-and-a-half flight down to Los Angeles and take part in the Games. MLB could then pick things back up on Friday, July 21. That would lead to an elongated 11-day break, or a week longer than the four-day break that's occurring this year.

Obviously, MLB would need to make some scheduling tweaks. The season already runs into early November as is with the World Series, and having the season go into mid-November isn't ideal. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred understands the situation, as noted to reporters during this year's All-Star break (h/t Evan Drellich of The Athletic).

“It is possible to play the All-Star Game in its normal spot, have a single break that would be longer, obviously, but still play 162 games without bleeding into the middle of November,” Manfred said. “That is possible, OK? It would require significant accommodations, but it’s possible.”

MLB players have never participated in baseball at the Olympics before, but it's clear the league would like to see that happen. There are still some hurdles, though. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark noted that players are interested, but things still need to be discussed.

“In the event that major-league players are going to play, what does that mean, and what does that look like?” Clark said. “And perhaps just as importantly, what does it mean for those players who aren’t participating? What type of scheduling adjustments need to be made, what type of travel considerations and support need to be considered? What does that mean in regards to insurance?

“There’s just a lot of conversation that needs to be had sooner rather than later to see how viable this is, but we’re hopeful that we can figure our way through it for the benefit of the game.”