News Summary
Cincinnati will host a groundbreaking Major League Baseball game as the Cincinnati Reds take on the Atlanta Braves in the first-ever MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway. Set for August 2, the event will also feature country music stars performing prior to the game. Dedicated preparations highlight the unique venue’s adaptability for various sports, promising a memorable experience that merges baseball with a dynamic atmosphere.
Cincinnati will host a historic Major League Baseball game on August 2, 2025, when the Cincinnati Reds take on the Atlanta Braves in the inaugural MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway. This event marks a significant milestone as it will be the first MLB game held in the state of Tennessee.
The game is set to commence at 7:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on FOX. Tickets are currently available through Ticketmaster, starting at $50, with premium seating options offered in the speedway’s infield, situated adjacent to the baseball diamond.
The Cincinnati Reds will be designated as the home team for this regular-season matchup. In anticipation of the event, the Reds and the Braves are scheduled to meet in two games in Cincinnati on July 31 and August 1, with the August 2 date serving as a contingency in case of inclement weather.
Adding to the excitement, country music star Tim McGraw and Latin music sensation Pitbull will perform at a special pregame concert approximately one hour before the first pitch. This concert will be partially featured during FOX’s pregame programming. Tim McGraw’s connection to baseball comes from his father, Tug McGraw, who was a pitcher and won World Series titles with the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Pitbull, known for his dynamic performances, has previously entertained sports audiences, including a memorable concert at Citi Field during the 2013 All-Star Game.
Bristol Motor Speedway, renowned as “the world’s fastest half-mile,” has a seating capacity of 146,000 for racing events. For the MLB Speedway Classic, a baseball diamond will be constructed over the speedway’s infield, primarily located between Turns 3 and 4. The dimensions of the baseball field will feature 330 feet down each foul line, 400 feet to center field, 375 feet to the right-field alley, and 384 feet to the left-field alley.
MLB is strategically expanding its audience by hosting games in unconventional venues, similar to past events at the Field of Dreams site in Iowa. The CEO of the Braves has expressed enthusiasm about participating in this unique event, emphasizing its importance to the team’s fan base.
Preparations for the Speedway Classic have been underway since prior to the NASCAR spring race in April. The venue has demonstrated its capacity to adapt for various large-scale sporting events, evidenced by a record-setting college football game that took place there in 2016.
As the date approaches, additional announcements regarding the event and surrounding festivities are expected. The combination of America’s favorite pastime with the thrilling environment of Bristol Motor Speedway is set to create an unforgettable experience for fans and players alike.
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HERE Resources
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MLB to Host Pregame Concert at Bristol Motor Speedway
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Bristol Motor Speedway Prepares for MLB and NASCAR Events
MLB Speedway Classic to Feature Concert by Pitbull and Tim McGraw
Additional Resources
- MLB.com
- Wikipedia: Bristol Motor Speedway
- Fox Sports
- Google Search: MLB Speedway Classic 2025
- Music Row
- Google Scholar: Baseball Games at Speedways
- ESPN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cincinnati Reds
- WJHL
- Google News: Tim McGraw MLB Speedway Classic
