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FIRST ON FOX: The Perfect Game All-American Classic is headed east as the world’s largest baseball scouting organization’s premier tournament will take place in 2026 at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The All-American Classic will take place on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET. Perfect Game CEO Rob Ponger told Pakinomist Digital how excited he is for the game to be in Philadelphia.
“It’s also the 250th birthday of America, right? Philadelphia, Philly, it’s like stars, stripes and prospects, right? 1776 to 2026, America was born 250 years ago and the future baseball stars are born at this event,” Ponger told Pakinomist Digital.
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A general view of Citizens Bank Park during the National Anthem on Opening Day between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers. This photo was taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 26, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Perfect Game All-American Classic features the top 60 high school baseball players in the country, many of whom go on to become first-round draft picks and future major leaguers.
Phillies stars Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler, Kansas City Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr., Baltimore Orioles star Gunnar Henderson and New York Mets star Francisco Lindor all played in the All-American Classic.
Since the game was in Philadelphia, Ponger said there is an added significance to the game because of the city’s historical value. He hopes it will help children create a memory that will last a lifetime.
“These kids are going to make moments that will last a lifetime. Even if they don’t make it to the majors and whatever, this is a moment and again, you know, when that national anthem is played before the game, you just take a step back and again the relevance of it being the 250th anniversary of America,” Ponger said.
ASTROS PLAYERS SWING AND BOOZING ON THREE BANDS, GOING TO BALL THREE WHEN EVERYONE FORGETS THE COUNT
Charlie Manuel shakes hands with the players at a Perfect Game 14U Select Fest. This photo was taken in Fort Myers, Florida, in August 2025. (Courtesy of Perfect Game)
“It’s our PG All-American game. It’s in Philly, the Liberty Bell in the background. I think it’s just cool.”
Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who helped lead the team to a World Series championship in 2008 and is the winningest manager in franchise history, is the honorary chairman of the event.
Ponger called him a Philadelphia legend and said having him at the event is very meaningful.
In addition to the All-American Classic on Sunday, Perfect Game will also have the PG All-Star Game on Friday, August 14 at 11 ET and the Launch Hydrate Home Run Challenge on Saturday, August 15th.
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Bryce Harper poses with Perfect Game players for a photo before the 2019 Perfect Game All-American Classic. This photo was taken in San Diego, California, in August 2019. (Courtesy of Perfect Game)
Ponger hopes the weekend in Philadelphia will provide lifelong memories for not only the kids, but also their families, who have been by their side every step of the way on their journey.
“America is the land of opportunity and dreams, right? And these kids are on that path to get there. So it almost sounds cliche, right? But like I said, stars, stripes and prospects,” Ponger said.
“But the parents, it’s all their hard work over the last (many years) since they were little kids, hopefully it’s not the culmination of it because they go to D1 and they go to MLB, but for this moment in time they should be honored as well, all the parents, right? And on top of that, now their hard work, it’s the symbolism of America again.”
