Home Run Derby 2026 Shifts to Netflix with New Format and Star-Studded Field

Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby is moving to Netflix for the first time, broadcasting live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 13 at 8 p.m. ET. The 2026 competition will feature a redesigned format alongside an eight-player field that includes rising talent and established All-Stars seeking to claim the title.

New Platform and Format Signal Major Changes

The decision to air the Home Run Derby on Netflix represents a significant shift in how MLB distributes one of its most popular mid-summer events. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, giving viewers an extended build-up to the main competition. Organizers have emphasized that the new format is designed with specific advantages for both participants and viewers, though detailed mechanics have not yet been disclosed.

Notable Participants Take Center Stage

Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals headlines the confirmed roster. The 24-year-old has broken out this season, batting .294 with 21 home runs and a league-leading 70 RBIs entering recent play. Walker boasts a bat speed of 79.1 mph, ranking second-fastest among qualified hitters—a trait that suits the Derby format. He would become the first Cardinal to win the event if victorious.

Willson Contreras, the Boston Red Sox first baseman and four-time All-Star, secured his first-ever Derby invitation after reaching 20 home runs faster than any previous season—in just 87 games. His .926 on-base-plus-slugging percentage ranks second among American League first basemen. Contreras represents the Red Sox's first Derby participant since 2011.

Jac Caglianone of the Kansas City Royals rounds out the announced field. The former first-round draft pick has displayed elite power, hitting six homers over five games in June with an average distance of 423 feet. He becomes the sixth Royal to participate in the Derby.

Philadelphia Stadium Conditions and Defending Champion Status

Citizens Bank Park's dimensions favor power hitters, with the ball carrying well in the stadium's air currents. Contreras acknowledged this advantage, noting that the key to Derby success is avoiding overexertion and maintaining disciplined approach. Defending champion Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners is not expected to defend his title. Additional spots in the eight-player field remain open, with Philadelphia's Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber potential candidates as host-team representatives.