January 15, 2015
The July 12, 2016 All-Star Game will be the third time the Padres have hosted the mid-summer classic, following 1978 at San Diego Stadium and 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium, both just former names for Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley.
It seems that kissing up to MLB's outgoing Commissioner Bud Selig paid off for the Padres. The team named their ballpark plaza after Selig in a controversial decision this past August. In likely his last decision before stepping down as Commissioner on January 24, Selig made the announcement to award the All-Star game to San Diego at the quarterly owners' meetings this week. Selig will make $6Million per year until the day he dies as part of his retirement package with Major League Baseball. This will be only the second time since 1963 when baseball began playing only one All-Star Game that a league has hosted back-to-back games.
“I am very pleased to award the 2016 All-Star Game to the San Diego Padres, who made a detailed and comprehensive bid in conjunction with city officials," said Commissioner Selig. "San Diego is one of America’s most beautiful cities, and showcasing Petco Park in its thriving downtown will be a remarkable opportunity for the Padres franchise and all of Major League Baseball.”
All-Star Weekend is July 10-12, 2016. All-Star Sunday on July 10 includes the Celebrity Softball Game and Futures Game. All-Star Workout Day is Monday, July 11 and includes the very popular Homerun Derby. The 2016 All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 12. All-Star Game tickets are only available in strips, which includes a ticket to All-Star Sunday, All-Star Workout Day, and the All-Star Game, along with two FanFest tickets and an All-Star program. On sale dates for tickets have not yet been determined, but existing Padres' season ticket holders will have first priority to purchase All-Star Game ticket strips in order of their tenure as Members.
"This is a remarkable opportunity! I had the privilege of experiencing the Super Bowl in San Diego in 2003, and if what was lived that year is an indicator of what an All-Star baseball game will bring to our city, then I predict great success," said Martin Gonzalez, Executive Chef and owner of Acqua al 2 in the Gaslamp and Toast Enoteca & Cucina in the East Village.
MLB officials project that the All Star Game will bring in about $80 million to the city of San Diego. Officials with the San Diego Tourism Authority believe that it would draw more than $1 million in sales tax and $1.2 million in hotel taxes. San Diego City Council unanimously agreed to cover up to $1.5 million in services during the 2016 game
"This is a remarkable opportunity! I had the privilege of experiencing the Super Bowl in San Diego in 2003, and if what was lived that year is an indicator of what an All-Star baseball game will bring to our city, then I predict great success," said Martin Gonzalez, Executive Chef and owner of Acqua al 2 in the Gaslamp and Toast Enoteca & Cucina in the East Village.
MLB officials project that the All Star Game will bring in about $80 million to the city of San Diego. Officials with the San Diego Tourism Authority believe that it would draw more than $1 million in sales tax and $1.2 million in hotel taxes. San Diego City Council unanimously agreed to cover up to $1.5 million in services during the 2016 game
"Hosting the All-Star Game will multiply sales throughout the county," continued Gonzalez. "Not only will this represent a positive impact for the cities economy, but also for the Padres franchise."
