MLB to host interactive watch parties in virtual ballpark for select games every Wednesday in September

Fans Can Join the Season’s First Watch Party on September 4th as the Tampa Bay Rays Host the Minnesota Twins

Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today that the league’s virtual ballpark, launched last year to provide fans with a new way to engage with live games, will host interactive watch parties for select regular-season matchups each Wednesday in September. The first virtual ballpark experience of the season will feature the Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, September 4th at 6:50 p.m. ET.

Fans from around the world can access the virtual ballpark for free on any internet-connected device by logging in with their MLB account at https://www.mlb.com/virtual-ballpark. These interactive watch parties feature a three-dimensional representation of the game, powered by MLB’s Gameday 3D product, synced with the live game broadcast. Fans can enjoy unique viewing angles previously impossible in traditional broadcasts, communicate with each other using spatial audio, and participate in a scavenger hunt through the ballpark.

New for the 2024 season, fans can now chat directly with their friends through a party system and earn points to redeem at the virtual shop for special digital jerseys.

The lineup of games to be shown in the virtual ballpark includes:
– **Wednesday, September 4th, 6:50 p.m. ET:** Twins @ Rays
– **Wednesday, September 11th, 7:45 p.m. ET:** Reds @ Cardinals
– **Wednesday, September 18th, 6:35 p.m. ET:** Giants @ Orioles
– **Wednesday, September 25th, 6:40 p.m. ET:** Rays @ Tigers

Standard local broadcasts will still be available via cable, satellite, and streaming services, including MLB.TV for out-of-market fans.

MLB’s virtual ballpark incorporates its Gameday 3D technologies, creating a fully immersive experience that allows fans to view live game action from any angle. Launched in 2023, Gameday 3D utilizes Sony Hawk-Eye cameras in every Major League ballpark to provide Statcast data, enabling real-time 3D recreations of the game.

The virtual ballpark was developed in collaboration with **Improbable**, a London-based technology firm specializing in virtual spaces. MLB debuted the virtual ballpark during the 2023 All-Star Celebrity Softball Game and later streamed a regular-season game and a Postseason game in this immersive environment.

For more information or to access the virtual ballpark, visit **MLB.com/virtual-ballpark** from any device.