Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced that the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves will play a regular season game in the MLB Speedway Classic at Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025. This game will be the first time an American or National League game is played in Tennessee.
“Tennessee has a remarkable history of hosting sporting events on the national stage, and we’re honored to announce the first Major League Baseball game of its kind in state history,” said Governor Lee. “Baseball is a great American brand that belongs in Tennessee, and we look forward to welcoming Reds and Braves fans to Bristol while ensuring continued economic growth and prosperity across the Volunteer State.”
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The MLB Speedway Classic is the second event to receive funding from the Special Event Fund. In 2022, Governor Lee and the General Assembly allocated $25 million in the state budget to attract and retain high-profile events that deliver significant economic benefits, create jobs, and showcase Tennessee to a global audience. The Special Event Fund is a competitive, incentive-based program tied to measurable performance outcomes. Eligible events must generate a direct economic impact greater than $10 million and net at least $1 million in state tax revenue.
“We are home to the best sports fans in the nation, and now they—along with thousands of fans from around the globe—will get to experience Major League Baseball here for the very first time,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “This is a home run for Tennessee residents and visitors. It’s a tremendous opportunity for our businesses and communities, and will no doubt be another landmark sporting event at Bristol Motor Speedway.”
A major league field will be constructed across the famous track at Bristol Motor Speedway, one of the largest sporting venues worldwide. The MLB Speedway Classic will feature a range of festivities, including musical events in the “birthplace of country music.”
“Major League Baseball is excited to deliver a special game at Bristol Motor Speedway, a unique setting that sports fans will remember forever,” said Robert D. Manfred, Jr., Commissioner of Baseball. “The Reds and the Braves form an ideal matchup because of their dynamic talent and the proximity of their markets. We look forward to celebrating our game with a wide array of fans, both on and off the field throughout the weekend, and highlighting the rich traditions of sports, music, and community in Tennessee and across the region.”
Tourism, Tennessee’s second-largest industry, significantly contributes to the state’s economic development and vitality. In 2023, tourism in Tennessee generated a record $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending and attracted 144 million visitors, according to Tourism Economics. Visitor spending also generated $3.2 billion in direct state and local tax revenues in 2023.
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