Shapiro talks Blue Jays bid for All-Star Game: 'I can't imagine a better showcase'

The Toronto Blue Jays have officially put in a bid to host a future MLB All-Star Game, Toronto’s president and CEO Mark Shapiro confirmed Wednesday during an appearance on Blair and Barker.

This comes less than six weeks after Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported the team had been discussing with Major League Baseball a possible bid to host the 2027 All-Star Game.

“We have put in a bid and we hope to have a game here,” said Shapiro, who suggested upcoming facility renovations could help their case. “The renovation (to Rogers Centre) is going to make the building capable and a showcase that fits the city and the country and the team.”

Shapiro and the organization announced in May plans to significantly renovate the lower bowl and concourses in the 33-year-old building, improve the overall fan experience, plus modernize the team’s player facilities.

Davidi reported as part of the selection process, “the Blue Jays must present a hosting plan to MLB with information on hotels, convention space and potential fan festival events, among other elements.”

Renovations are expected to be completed prior to the start of the 2024 MLB season.

The 2022 All-Star Game took place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and next year’s is set to take place at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. The locations for the 2024 and 2025 games have not been publicly confirmed, while the Philadelphia Phillies are expected to play host at Citizens Bank Park in 2026.

The last and only time Toronto hosted the Midsummer Classic was all the way back in 1991 – the same year Shapiro began his MLB career with Cleveland’s organization – just two years after the building (then known as SkyDome) initially opened.

“The city has grown astronomically since then,” Shapiro added. “There’s so much to show off, there’s so much to showcase. I can’t imagine a better showcase for Major League Baseball than to have the midsummer classic in Toronto.”