Philadelphia Hosts 2026 Home Run Derby Under New Format
The 2026 Home Run Derby takes place tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, featuring a significant transition in both broadcasting and competition rules. The event, which serves as a centerpiece of All-Star festivities, begins at 8 p.m. ET and will be streamed exclusively on Netflix.
A Return to Swing-Based Competition
Major League Baseball has officially moved away from the timed, clock-based format that has been in place since 2015. According to MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword, the change aims to simplify the rules and slow the pace of the event, allowing fans more time to appreciate the distance of the home runs. Under the new system, participants are allotted a set number of swings: 20 in the first round and 15 in the subsequent semifinals and finals. A unique provision remains: if a player hits a home run on their final swing of a round, they are permitted to continue swinging until they fail to hit a home run. The first round will feature all eight participants, with the top four home run totals advancing to the semifinals. Seeding for the semifinals will be determined by first-round performance, with the first seed facing the fourth, and the second facing the third. Ties in the first round will be broken by the longest home run distance, while ties in the semifinals and finals will be decided by a three-swing swing-off, repeated until a winner is determined.
The 2026 Field of Competitors
The eight-man field features a mix of veteran stars and emerging talent. Philadelphia Phillies sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are representing the host city. Harper, who has 383 career home runs, won the derby in 2018. Schwarber enters the contest with 372 career home runs and is making his second appearance as a member of the Phillies. The two previously faced off in the 2018 finals, where Harper defeated Schwarber 19-18. Junior Caminero, the only other participant with previous derby experience, returns after reaching the finals in 2025, where he was defeated by Cal Raleigh. The rest of the field consists of first-time participants: * Willson Contreras: Has recorded 192 home runs over 11 seasons. * Munetaka Murakami: Playing his first season in MLB, he hit 20 home runs before the All-Star break despite missing time with a hamstring strain. * Jac Caglianone: Has hit 15 home runs during the 2026 season. * Ben Rice: Has recorded 29 home runs this year following a 26-homer breakout in 2025. * Jordan Walker: Currently in a breakout season with 22 home runs.
Stakes and Prize Money
The event carries a total prize pool of $2.5 million. The winner will receive $1 million, while the runner-up earns $500,000. The remaining participants will receive $150,000 each for their participation. Additionally, a $100,000 bonus will be awarded to the player who hits the longest home run of the night. For several participants, including Caglianone, Caminero, Rice, and Walker, the prize money represents a significant potential windfall. These players have not yet qualified for arbitration and are earning salaries near the $780,000 league minimum.
Broadcast and Production Details
This year marks the first time Netflix has broadcast the event, moving the derby away from ESPN for the first time since 1994. The broadcast begins with special coverage at 7 p.m. ET.
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