‘How is this possible?’ baseball fans marvel after MLB announces regular season game will take place at speedway

MAJOR League Baseball has revealed a special location for one of its 2025 regular season games.

The Atlanta Braves will face the Cincinnati Reds inside Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee on August 2, 2025.

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2023 National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. will lead the Braves, while emerging star Elly De La Cruz will lead the Reds.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the news Friday morning at Bristol Motor Speedway alongside Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

“Major League Baseball is thrilled to offer a special game at Bristol Motor Speedway, a unique setting that sports fans will remember forever,” said Manfred.

“The Reds and Braves make an ideal matchup due to their dynamic talent and proximity to their markets.

“We look forward to celebrating our game with a wide range of fans, both on and off the pitch over the weekend.

“And highlighting the rich traditions of sports, music and community in Tennessee and throughout the region.”

Fans are confused considering the race track is not the same dimensions as a baseball field.

Several MLB fans rushed to social media to share their confusion.

“Can we see the design of how this will be laid out?” asked a fan.

“How is that possible, there’s no baseball field in that stadium?” he wrote a second.

Despite the game’s change of scenery, many fans expressed enthusiasm.

“This is going to be sick,” said one fan, adding a fire emoji.

“Well this is going to be AMAZING!” stated another fan.

“This is going to be fun,” said a fifth fan.

A baseball diamond will be built along the track and infield of the legendary speedway, according to MLB. with.

In its original racing configuration, the high-banked concrete track can accommodate approximately 146,000 fans.

Jerry Caldwell, president of Bristol Motor Speedway, is excited that MLB will hold a game at the track.

“There is a deep history of baseball in and around Bristol in this area, long recognized as the heart of the Appalachian League,” Caldwell said.

“Furthermore, Bristol’s location makes it the perfect destination for a meeting between these two beloved clubs.

“It is fitting that the World’s Fastest Half-Mile hosts this game where talented athletes will be on display at a venue whose reputation has been built on speed and high performance.”

It will be the first regular season game in National League and American League history played in Tennessee.

The Reds will be the home team.

“The Reds are thrilled to be the home team in this unforgettable debut at Bristol Motor Speedway,” said Reds President and CEO Phil Castellini.

“Thank you to Major League Baseball for making this groundbreaking game happen.

“We can’t wait for all of Reds Country to cheer on their Reds in this unique and historic setting.”

This isn’t the first time MLB has hosted a game at a unique location.

On June 20, 2024, the San Francisco Giants battled the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

Built in 1910, Rickwood Field is the oldest professional baseball park in the United States.

The game honored the history of the Negro American League and became a tribute to legendary Giants center fielder Willie Mays, who died two days earlier.

The Cardinals ended up victorious, defeating the Giants 6-5.

MLB has also hosted special games at Fort Bragg in 2016, Omaha in 2019, Field of Dreams in 2021 and the annual Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.