Speedway Classic to Break MLB’s All–Time Attendance Record

This weekend’s Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway will break Major League Baseball’s single-game, regular-season attendance record, according to the league.

The game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves on August 2 has sold more than 85,000 tickets. Fans have purchased tickets from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and nine countries on four continents.

The first American or National League game played in Tennessee will eclipse the previous paid attendance record of 84,587, set on September 12, 1954, when Cleveland Stadium hosted the New York Yankees.

It will be a Reds home game with the first two being played at Cincinnati preceding the Saturday matchup and Sunday held as a potential rain makeup date.

The Speedway Classic will be more than a baseball game. As part of the U.S. Navy’s upcoming 250th birthday in October, the U.S. Navy will be featured throughout pregame ceremonies. Four U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets from VFA-103 of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach will conduct a flyover.

The game will include a ceremonial first pitch between two Hall of Famers: Chipper Jones (Braves) to Johnny Bench (Reds). There will also be a full day of musical performances, with Tim McGraw, Pitbull and Jake Owen taking the stage for concerts.

The spectacle will have a strong NASCAR integration with racing traditions and crossover elements featured throughout the game including a pregame player parade, taking inspiration from NASCAR-style driver introductions, racing-themed between-inning activations and an on-field, NASCAR “Victory Lane” celebration for the winning team with a custom Speedway Classic trophy presentation.

Bristol Motor Speedway has hosted major auto races, football games and many other events. Tennessee features four professional baseball teams, including the Triple-A Nashville Sounds and the Memphis Redbirds of the International Leagues along with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts and the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League.