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FIRST ON FOX: The Perfect Game All-American Classic is heading east, as the premier tournament of the world’s largest baseball scouting organization will be held at Citizens Bank Park in 2026, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The All-American Classic will take place on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 5 pm Eastern Time. Perfect Game CEO Rob Ponger told Pak Gazette Digital how excited he is for the game to be made in Philadelphia.
“It’s also America’s 250th anniversary, right? Philadelphia, Philadelphia, it’s like stars, stripes and prospects, right? From 1776 to 2026, America was born 250 years ago and future baseball stars are born at this event,” Ponger told Pak Gazette Digital.
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A general view of Citizens Bank Park during the opening day national anthem 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 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 played in the All-American Classic.
Since the game will be held in Philadelphia, Ponger said the game has additional meaning because of the city’s historical value. She hopes it will help children create a memory that will last a lifetime.
“These kids are going to create 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 the national anthem plays before the game, you just take a step back and again the relevance of it being America’s 250th anniversary,” Ponger said.
ASTROS PLAYER DOES DANCE AND MISSES THREE PITCHES, WALKS ON THE BALL THREE WHILE EVERYONE FORGETS THE COUNT
Charlie Manuel shakes hands with players at 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 Philadelphia, with 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 win in 2008 and is the winningest manager in franchise history, is the event’s honorary chairman.
Ponger called him a Philadelphia legend and said it’s very meaningful to have him at the event.
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 a.m. ET and the Launch Hydrate Home Run Challenge on Saturday, August 15.
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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 not only for the children, but also for 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 that. So it almost sounds cliché, 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 this isn’t the climax because they’re going to D1 and they’re going to MLB, but for this moment, they should be honored too, all the parents, right? And on top of that, now their hard work, it’s again the symbolism of America.”
