PHILADELPHIA -- Fresh off Kyle Schwarber's MVP performance in Tuesday's 2025 All-Star Game, the Phillies on Friday kicked off their march toward hosting the 2026 Midsummer Classic.
The festivities started with the "Philadelphia’s 2026 All-Star Declaration" ceremony at historic Dilworth Park in Center City. It was there that eight-time All-Star Bryce Harper and Phillies managing partner John Middleton --- accompanied by a live drumroll from Questlove of Philadelphia's The Roots -- unveiled the Liberty Bell-themed logo for the 2026 All-Star Game.
"History is embedded in the DNA of Philadelphia," Middleton said. "The list of historical events and important firsts that have occurred in our great city is long and proud. That's why the Phillies are so honored to play host to the 2026 All-Star Game as our nation celebrates its 250th birthday."
A number of franchise legends were on hand for the celebration, including a trio of Phillies All-Stars from the 1976 Midsummer Classic -- Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski and Dave Cash -- which was played at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. Other All-Star alumni included Bobby Abreu, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, John Kruk and Juan Samuel, as well as World Series champion manager Charlie Manuel.
"We may have All-Star players up here, but boy I'll tell you what, you are All-Star fans," Middleton said to the crowd gathered in Center City. "You are the best fans in the country, and it's not close."
Along with the Phillies unveiling the All-Star logo on the star-studded stage, Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker led the countdown to reveal an All-Star Game banner that will hang from Philadelphia's iconic City Hall.
"To John Middleton and the entire Phillies organization, we thank you for giving us the honor and the privilege of gathering in unity," Parker said. " ... I love to demonstrate that Philadelphia has the best sports fans in the nation."
Fans were also treated to an All-Star hype video featuring Broadway star and Philadelphia native Leslie Odom Jr. that was filmed at Citizens Bank Park. The event was bookended with performances by The Roots -- but the celebration certainly didn't end there.
With special commemorative rally towels in hand, some of those Phillies legends -- and, of course, the Phillie Phanatic -- jumped aboard the "2026 All-Star Declaration Bus" to keep the festivities rolling throughout the city. The bus made stops at a number of area landmarks, including the Museum of Art, Independence Mall and the Betsy Ross House before parking outside Citizens Bank Park ahead of the Phillies' series opener against the Angels.
"We look forward to bringing together not just the best players in the game," Middleton said, "but everyone who joins us in Philadelphia next year for what will undoubtedly be another link to both baseball history and that of our city."
The day-long unveiling culminated in a pregame ceremony at Citizens Bank Park that included the U.S. Navy "Leap Frog" team parachuting into the ballpark carrying a 2026 All-Star banner and Schwarber showing off his All-Star Game MVP Award to a standing ovation from the Philadelphia faithful.
Abreu and Howard -- who won back-to-back Home Run Derby titles for the Phillies in 2005 and ‘06, respectively -- then threw out ceremonial first pitches. Howard is expecting quite a show at next year’s HR Derby.
“I’m expecting somebody to go in the third deck,” said Howard, who remains the only player to hit a ball into the third deck in a game at CBP. “I’ll be very disappointed if they don’t.”
Barry Bonds once hit the facade of the third deck -- but is Howard surprised he’s still the only one to actually reach it?
“Um, yeah,” Howard said. “I remember the game when Barry hit it off the face of the third deck -- that was one of the hardest balls I’ve ever seen hit. But to actually have a ball land up there, it was pretty surreal.”
The new 2026 All-Star logo is also on full display in straightaway center field at Citizens Bank Park, where it will remain above Ashburn Alley until next summer.
Of course, it's not just the All-Star Game coming to Philadelphia in 2026. It's also the Home Run Derby, the Futures Game, the MLB Draft, the Capital One All-Star Village and countless community initiatives.
"Today is just the beginning," Middleton said.