MLB Players Likely to Participate in 2028 LA Olympics, Says Commissioner

Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed growing confidence that MLB players will participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking a significant shift from previous policies that excluded major leaguers from Olympic competition.

"I am positive about it," Manfred stated on October 25, 2025, before Game 2 of the World Series. "I think that the owners have kind of crossed the line in terms of, we'd like to do it if we can possibly make it work."

Baseball's history in the Olympics has been inconsistent. It was a medal sport from 1992 until 2008, then removed, and reinstated for the 2021 Tokyo Games. During the Tokyo Olympics, MLB did not permit players on 40-man rosters to participate, leading to teams composed mainly of minor leaguers and free agents. Japan secured the gold medal by defeating the United States 2-0 in the final.

The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles from July 14 to 30, with the baseball tournament planned for July 15 to 20 at Dodger Stadium. This timing coincides with MLB's traditional All-Star festivities, presenting scheduling complexities that the league aims to address.

To accommodate Olympic participation, MLB is considering implementing an extended All-Star break during the 2028 season. Manfred elaborated, "The way we're thinking about it is it would be an extension of the All-Star break. The All-Star break would begin, we'd play the All-Star Game, and then roll right into the Olympics thereafter. So it'd be probably 11 days of break, all in, something like that."

This proposal requires agreement from the MLB Players Association and could impact existing sponsorship agreements. Manfred acknowledged the logistical challenges involved but remains optimistic, stating, "There are logistical issues that still need to be worked on."

Players have shown interest in Olympic participation. Bryce Harper, a prominent MLB player, expressed his enthusiasm: "Putting the nation's colors on your chest, there's nothing like it. There's no greater feeling going into another country and winning and hearing your anthem blast."

The inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics could significantly enhance baseball's global appeal and provide fans with the opportunity to see top talent compete on an international stage. However, Manfred indicated that this might be a one-time occurrence, citing greater logistical challenges for the 2032 Brisbane Games.

As discussions continue, the potential participation of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics represents a historic opportunity to showcase the sport's premier talent on a global platform. While logistical challenges remain, the collaborative efforts between MLB, the players' union, and Olympic organizers signal a promising step toward realizing this goal.