Why is the Home Run Derby only on Netflix? Explaining streaming platform's 2026 baseball special

For the first time in more than three decades, ESPN will not be broadcasting the Home Run Derby during MLB's All-Star Weekend.

Instead, Netflix takes control of the event as the streaming service looks to make further inroads into the sports industry. Netflix has started broadcasting more sporting events in recent years, including NFL games, and now has a deal that brings baseball to the streaming service.

As a result, Netflix is instituting some changes to the Home Run Derby to make it more in line with its strengths as a broadcast partner. The service is also adding a few big names who know what it's like to hit home runs to its broadcast team.

Here's why Netflix is broadcasting the Home Run Derby.

MORE: Who is in the Home Run Derby?

Why is the Home Run Derby only on Netflix?

After the 2025 season, MLB and Netflix agreed to a three-year deal to bring baseball to the streaming service as part of MLB's new media deal. Netflix will broadcasting special events over the next few years, including Opening Night and the Home Run Derby.

As part of the deal, Netflix also secured Japanese broadcast rights to the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

"We are incredibly thankful for our partnership with Major League Baseball," Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said. "We started with critically acclaimed documentaries, deepening the existing global passion for baseball. Now, we are seizing that moment by bringing massive cultural spectacles — from Opening Night to the Home Run Derby — directly to our members, reinforcing Netflix as the ultimate home for both the story and the sport."

Netflix has made an effort to add sports to its portfolio in recent years, focusing mainly on major events and holiday programming. The streaming service broadcasts NFL games on Christmas Day and is set to broadcast the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031.

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MLB games on Netflix

Netflix is broadcasting three MLB events over the course of the course of the season, including:

• Opening Night: Yankees vs. Giants on March 25
• Home Run Derby on July 13
• Field of Dreams games: Twins vs. Phillies on August 13 from Iowa

Netflix's goal is to make sure its broadcasts are special events instead of more traditional everyday baseball games. All three of these events are standalone games with no other MLB event scheduled for that window.

Netflix Home Run Derby broadcast team

Here's who will be covering the Home Run Derby for Netflix:

• Matt Vasgersian (host)
• Elle Duncan (host)
• Barry Bonds (analyst)
• Albert Pujols (analyst)
• Hunter Pence (analyst)
• Anthony Rizzo (analyst)
• Michael Irvin (special contributor)
• Lauren Shehadi (on-field reporter)

Netflix has hired several big names from the past few decades in Major League Baseball to help produce the event. Of most note, Barry Bonds returns after he was part of Opening Night's coverage, while Albert Pujols will join him. Other players who are serving as analysts include Anthony Rizzo and Hunter Pence, while former NFL wide receiver Michael Irvin will serve as a special contributor.