The Milwaukee Brewers will face the Atlanta Braves in the MLB Little League Classic on August 23, 2026, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The game, set at Journey Bank Ballpark, follows the Little League World Series and aims to inspire young players. Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin expressed excitement about fulfilling a childhood dream by attending the event.
The MLB Little League Classic, an annual tradition since 2017, pairs Major League Baseball with the youth-focused Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This year, the Milwaukee Brewers will take on the Atlanta Braves on August 23, 2026, at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, with the game starting at 6:10 p.m. Central time. The matchup comes after 20 Little League teams from around the world compete in the World Series, and MLB players are expected to engage with the kids by attending daytime games, signing autographs, and possibly participating in traditions like sliding down a hill at the complex.
Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin, who started playing baseball at age 7, shared his enthusiasm: “The little kid in me came out because I was like, ‘Oh, I get to go to Williamsport.’ And even though I’m not playing in the actual Little League World Series, it’s still really cool to go and watch those games and be around it. As a baseball fan, it’s one of those bucket-list items that you have to check off at least once in your life.” Durbin added that he wants to experience the hill slide tradition.
The Brewers, boasting the third-best record in MLB since 2021 and recently named Baseball America’s Organization of the Year, were selected for the event, which will draw around 2,000 attendees, including Little League players and families. Rick Schlesinger, Brewers president of business operations, noted the team’s appeal: “I’m sure baseball recognizes that the Brewers have a great appeal.” The game will be broadcast on ESPN, providing a national stage.
Local league leaders highlighted the event’s impact. Lindsay Weber of Whitefish Bay Little League said, “These kids are so into the Little League World Series, but they’re also so into the Brewers. Combining those two is really cool.” Jason Steichen of Elmbrook Little League described the mutual admiration: “Those kids then get to go and kind of give that same treatment to the Major Leaguers, who are obviously their idols.” Mike Schwartz, president of Whitefish Bay Little League, emphasized the personal connections: “It’s fun because the Little Leaguers are all like ‘Oh my goodness, there’s all these players who I love, there’s Christian Yelich, there’s Sal Frelick, all these guys.’”
Schlesinger concluded, “We were thrilled to be considered and chosen. We think it’s going to be a lot of fun for the players and a special night of baseball.”
