No town boasts more star power than Los Angeles. But even L.A.’s many stars, superstars, and megastars are bound to be dazzled by the lineup of baseball greats that will take to the field when the MLB All-Star Game comes to Dodger Stadium on July 19 for the first time since 1980.
The midsummer classic is the culmination of a busy schedule of All-Star Week activities taking place from downtown Los Angeles all the way to the beaches of Santa Monica.
With exhibition games, interactive fun, autograph sessions with Hall of Famers, and a red-carpet event featuring baseball’s best, fans have all sorts of opportunities to celebrate America’s national pastime—even if they weren’t lucky enough to score a ticket to this baseball showcase first played back in 1933.
Take Me Out to the Big Game
Dodger Stadium is marking its 60th anniversary in 2022, but this is only the second All-Star game ever played at the landmark ballpark that manager Tommy Lasorda once dubbed “blue heaven on earth.” With such stars as Mike Trout and Shohei Otani of the Los Angeles Angels and the Dodgers’ own Mookie Betts and Trea Turner earning All-Star nods, L.A. and Orange County fans will have a strong rooting interest in the game. So what about tickets?
The good news is that while the game will almost certainly sell out, seats are available on the secondary ticket market at such sites as StubHub and SeatGeek. Prices won’t be cheap but shouldn’t approach the stratospheric rates you see for events like the Super Bowl. Check frequently to see if prices start coming down, especially on game day.
All-Star Events in Dodger Stadium
Stadium festivities begin July 16 with a doubleheader on All-Star Saturday. The opener is the All-Star Futures Game, which features the stars of tomorrow, including leading minor-league prospects and younger players currently on major-league rosters.
Then in the nightcap, such celebrities as Dodger superfan Rob Lowe and two-time Olympic snowboarding gold medalist Chloe Kim take to the field with former major-leaguers in the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game. The day closes with a performance by Latina music superstar and Inglewood native Becky G.
Monday, July 18, is another big day at the stadium as fans can watch players take batting practice during All-Star Workout Day. That’s before the big bashers step to the plate for the much-anticipated and nationally televised Home Run Derby.
All-Star Events Around Los Angeles County
Leading off All-Star Week, the sandlot comes to the sands of Santa Monica during All-Star Oceanfront. The free event, which runs July 15–17, includes youth baseball activities and batting cages on the pier, not to mention displays of baseball-themed sand sculptures. You can also participate in a beach clean-up and yoga classes.
From July 16–19 in downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Convention Center plays host to Play Ball Park (tickets can be purchased online). A lineup of legends, including Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela and Hall of Famers such as San Francisco Giant Juan Marichal and Chicago Cub Ferguson Jenkins are scheduled to appear on panels and at autograph sessions. National Softball Hall of Fame inductees Jennie Finch and Lisa Fernandez will also participate.
You can test your fastball skills in the batting cages in an interactive pitching experience. And exhibits on the Negro Leagues and artifacts from the National Baseball Hall of Fame will bring alive the game’s past.
For free downtown All-Star action, Xbox Plaza at L.A. Live hosts the 2022 MLB Draft on July 17. Then from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on July 19, the big-leaguers will strut their stuff at the All-Star Red Carpet Show.
Out With the Crowd
You can root-root-root for your favorite stars at one of the L.A. area’s many sports bars. A short distance from the stadium, 33 Taps Silver Lake draws big crowds on game days, thanks to its diverse selection of local and California craft beers. Across town in Palms, The Garage on Motor shows games on more than 30 screens in a renovated auto shop. And the next best thing to drinking a Brew Heaven blonde ale at Golden Road Brewing’s stadium beer garden is to catch the game and raise a glass at the brewery’s The Pub at Golden Road in Atwater Village.
Home Plates
Even if you don’t attend the game, you can recreate the Dodger Stadium experience at home. Fire up the grill and put that perfect char on some iconic Dodger Dogs, which are available at grocery stores around Southern California. There’s nothing more refreshing than a Michelada at the ballpark, so try this recipe for the variation of the Mexican beer cocktail served at the stadium.
Or, if you’re craving tacos, here’s a recipe for authentic carne asada that former Dodger and Whittier native Nomar Garciaparra helped develop for Dodger Stadium charity events.
