GOOD NEWS: Fenway Park Could Host the Next All-Star Game — And Roman Anthony Is Ready to Shine on the Biggest Stage Yet
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The Athletic-style Feature • July 18, 2025
As Major League Baseball quietly narrows down its list of potential hosts for the next All-Star Game, a familiar name has re-entered the national conversation: Fenway Park. The iconic home of the Boston Red Sox, steeped in 112 years of baseball lore, is reportedly a strong contender to host the 2026 Midsummer Classic.
And if it does, a new face might very well steal the spotlight under the lights of America’s oldest ballpark.
That face? Roman Anthony — the 20-year-old Red Sox phenom who’s not just showing flashes of brilliance but steadily building his case as Boston’s next big superstar.
While nothing is official yet, early discussions around the 2026 All-Star venue have pointed toward Boston. According to a report from OverTheMonster and corroborated by league sources, MLB is considering a return to Fenway for the first time since 1999. Back then, legends like Pedro Martinez and Nomar Garciaparra represented the city. If the game returns in 2026, it may be Roman Anthony who carries that torch.
A City Ready to Host Again
Boston hasn’t hosted an All-Star Game in over two decades — a surprising drought considering Fenway’s history, national appeal, and ability to showcase high-drama baseball. But league officials have hinted that the next event should carry more than just spectacle. They want storylines. A sense of timing. A city and team on the cusp of something meaningful.
That’s exactly what Boston offers.
The Red Sox are emerging from a rebuilding phase with an exciting young core — headlined by Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Ceddanne Rafaela — and currently sit within reach of a playoff spot. Fenway has seen packed crowds again. TV ratings are climbing. There’s a palpable sense that the city is ready for center stage.
“Boston is baseball,” one MLB executive told SportsNet. “And with these kids, there’s a feeling of something special building again.”
Roman Anthony: The New Face of Fenway?
While the Red Sox have seen breakout stars over the past decade — Mookie Betts, Rafael Devers, and Xander Bogaerts among them — Roman Anthony might be the most complete five-tool prospect to debut since Betts himself.
Drafted in 2022 out of Florida, Anthony has risen rapidly through the Red Sox system. This season, he’s slashing .281/.362/.505 with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs before the All-Star break. But beyond the numbers, it’s the moments that define him.
Walk-off singles. Diving grabs in center field. Laser throws from the gap. And now, potentially, an All-Star moment in front of his home crowd?
When asked last week about the possibility of the All-Star Game at Fenway, Anthony smiled but played it cool.
“I grew up watching those games, dreaming about being there one day,” he said. “If it happens in Boston and I’m part of it — yeah, it would be something I’d never forget.”
Anthony already ranks among the league’s top 10 most-searched rookie names on social media, and Red Sox marketing executives are reportedly preparing for a major push around him ahead of the 2026 season — including community events, national endorsements, and even a potential Red Carpet feature if the All-Star Game returns to town.
The Power of Narrative
All-Star Games aren’t just about stats — they’re about stories. And few cities offer richer baseball storytelling than Boston. A stadium with seats older than most ballparks. A fanbase that lives and dies with each pitch. A franchise known for curses, comebacks, and championships.
Now imagine Fenway, drenched in midsummer sunlight, packed with national cameras and chants of “Let’s go Roman!” echoing off the Green Monster. It’s a marketing dream. It’s also a baseball dream — one that might finally turn into reality for a city and a player rising together.
MLB has made no final decision, but insiders suggest an announcement could come by October. The Red Sox front office is reportedly “fully committed” to supporting the bid, including logistical support, city coordination, and fan-driven initiatives.
If approved, the Fenway All-Star Game would coincide with the 125th anniversary of the Red Sox franchise. A perfect storm of nostalgia and new beginnings.
A City, a Stadium, a Star in the Making
For Anthony, who turns 21 this fall, the timing couldn’t be better. He’s growing into a clubhouse leader. He’s been praised for his maturity, his bilingual outreach to younger Latin teammates, and his willingness to speak to fans and media with humility.
Teammates call him “Roman Empire.” Coaches call him “the most coachable star they’ve had in years.” Fans simply call him “our future.”
And maybe, next summer, Roman Anthony won’t just be a name for the future. He’ll be the face of the All-Star Game — not in Hollywood, not in Chicago, but right at home in Boston.