Speedway Classic to break MLB attendance record

Field Level Media|published: Mon 28th July, 10:47 2025

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Mascots Mr. Red, left, and Blooper, right, pose for photos during a media event at Bristol Motor Speedway on June 24, 2025, ahead of the MLB Speedway Classic game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds held at the racetrack.

Saturday's MLB Speedway Classic will break Major League Baseball's all-time single-game attendance record, the league announced on Monday.

More than 85,000 tickets have been sold for the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway, the first MLB game ever played in Tennessee.

The current record for paid attendance is 84,587 set on Sept. 12, 1954, for a doubleheader at Cleveland Stadium between the then-Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees.

Fans from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and nine countries across four continents have purchased tickets for the game.

Hall of Famers representing both teams will throw out the ceremonial first pitches, Chipper Jones for the Braves and Johnny Bench for the Reds.

The Speedway Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports with the first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.

--Field Level Media