How the 2028 LA Olympics Baseball Schedule Could Disrupt MLB

By Oliver Wiener July 16, 2025 09:02

The announcement that baseball will return to the Olympics as an official sport during the 2028 Los Angeles Games has sparked intense discussions within Major League Baseball about how the Olympic schedule could disrupt the MLB season. With the baseball tournament slated for July 15-20 at Dodger Stadium right in the heart of the MLB midseason the question looms: how will the league manage the substantial logistics and potential impact on its schedule and players?

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB Players Association (MLBPA) executive director Tony Clark have conveyed cautious optimism about allowing big-league players to participate in the Olympic Games for the first time. As Manfred told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, “It is possible to play the All-Star Game in its normal spot, have a single break that would be longer, obviously, but still play 162 games without bleeding into the middle of November. That is possible. It would require significant accommodations, but it’s possible”. This implies a lengthy All-Star break that effectively functions as an Olympic hiatus, pausing the regular season to accommodate the tournament.

The logistical challenges are manifold. MLB’s 2028 season will need significant calendar adjustments, including potentially starting the season earlier and possibly compressing spring training to ensure the schedule stays intact. The league is mindful of its national broadcast agreements and the financial stakes tied to uninterrupted baseball seasons. On top of that, insurance concerns around players competing internationally and the risk of injury will be major negotiation topics between MLB, teams, and the Players Association.

One discussion gaining traction among fans and analysts is whether the All-Star Game itself will be affected. Some propose eliminating or modifying the Midsummer Classic to make room for an extended Olympic break, similar to how the NHL adjusts its calendar for the Winter Olympics. However, Manfred suggested maintaining the All-Star Game "in its normal spot" alongside the Olympic break, signaling a possible calendar juggling act rather than outright cancellation.

Players across the league have expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to represent their countries on the sport’s biggest global stage. Tony Clark noted, “We recognize that players are eager to compete, whether it’s for Team USA or various teams from around the globe,” while Manfred added, “I view this as a chance to promote the sport on a truly international platform”. The 2028 Games present a marketing boon for MLB, especially since organizing the tournament on U.S. soil at iconic Dodger Stadium sidesteps some of the extensive travel and logistical burdens seen in previous Olympics.

However, the Olympic break could disrupt team rhythms and affect competitive balance. Teams with multiple All-Stars or international players may lose essential contributors for up to two weeks, while others maintain full rosters. The proximity of Dodger Stadium to multiple California-based MLB teams, like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, could exacerbate scheduling quirks, possibly forcing these clubs into extended road trips during the Olympic segment.

Moreover, the tight July 15-20 Olympic schedule overlaps with traditional MLB All-Star festivities, raising questions about fan engagement and TV ratings for both events. The Olympics will air on NBC, while MLB’s existing agreements with Fox could complicate broadcasting and advertising dynamics.

In summary, the 2028 LA Olympics baseball tournament promises to be a historic milestone with MLB’s best players competing for Olympic gold, a first in the sport’s Olympic history. But the integration of a two-week global tournament into the MLB summer schedule will demand unprecedented cooperation between the league, players, teams, and broadcasters. As Manfred said, “If everyone behaves logically over the next few months, Major League Baseball players will compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028”. The coming years will reveal how MLB navigates this balancing act between preserving its season’s integrity and embracing baseball’s most ambitious international showcase yet.