CINCINNATI – The Cubs have taken a major step in strengthening their bid to host an All-Star at Wrigley Field game as soon as 2027.
Addressing safety concerns, which have long been a barrier in the team’s pursuit of an All-Star game, an ordinance introduced to the City Council by Wrigleyville Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) on Wednesday would initiate the installation of anti-terrorism-rated removable bollards around Wrigley Field, as well as the widening of sidewalks along Addison Street.
The proposed plan would cost more than $30 million, shared by the state, the city and the team.
The Cubs’ bid for an All-Star Game has been years in the making. During MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s annual spring training news conference last year in Florida, he told reporters that the Cubs and Blue Jays were candidates to host in 2027 and 2028.
“No decision has been made yet,” a team spokesperson said Thursday, after 670 The Score reported that Wrigley Field will be awarded the 2027 All-Star Game.
Most of the concerns the Cubs had to iron out before Major League Baseball would choose Wrigley Field for a future All-Star Game were security-related, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts confirmed last spring. Wrigley Field hasn’t hosted the All-Star Game in 35 years.
‘‘We’re trying to get an All-Star Game at some point pretty soon,’’ Ricketts said in February 2024. ‘‘There’s a few things we have to work out with the city. And we’ve gotten snagged, but I think we’re getting closer. And we’ll hopefully know more pretty soon. But it’s not as simple as it looks. A lot of teams want the All-Star Games. They are big economic drivers for the city but not easy to get.’’
Truist Park, in the Atlanta metropolitan area, is set to host the 2025 All-Star Game — which was announced in November 2023. Citizen Bank Park, in Philadelphia, has secured the 2026 All-Star Game, as announced in April 2019. Major League Baseball has not announced host cities beyond 2026.
While the All-Star Game does provide an economic boon to the host, the city of Chicago, state and team will have to invest in order to meet MLB’s standards.
The security bollards ordinance, which will need to go through a committee hearing and full council vote, includes a city contribution of one-third of the “final guaranteed maximum price,” up to $10 million. What’s left of the 2014 Cubs Fund for neighborhood improvements would help cover that portion. The state would be expected to chip in $12 million in assistance.
The Cubs would be on the hook for at least $8 million, plus overruns and maintenance costs.
“I’m confident this settlement is fiscally favorable for Chicago and our taxpayers, reducing the cost burden the city faces in providing public safety resources around one of our busiest and most iconic destinations while avoiding legal proceedings,” Lawson said in a statement. “It’s a `W’ for all parties.”
Wrigley Field has hosted the MLB All-Star Game three times, in 1947, 1962 and 1990. But its location, tucked into a residential neighborhood, presents unique modern safety concerns.
Boston’s Fenway Park also is situated in the middle of a neighborhood. The Red Sox last hosted the All-Star game in 1999.
The last MLB All-Star Game in Chicago was hosted by the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in 2003.
Chicago has hosted All-Star festivities for other leagues more recently. The WNBA All-Star Game came to Wintrust Arena in 2022. The United Center played host to the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. In 2017, the MLS All-Stars took on Real Madrid at Soldier Field.
Contributing: Fran Spielman