In an announcement with potential to score big for tourism and sports enthusiasts alike, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee confirmed the Volunteer State will play host to its first-ever Major League Baseball game. Set for August 2, 2025, the unlikely venue for the matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves is none other than Bristol Motor Speedway—known more for its NASCAR vrooms than baseball zooms. "Tennessee has a remarkable history of hosting sporting events on the national stage, and we’re honored to announce the first Major League Baseball game of its kind in state history," Gov. Lee said in a statement.

For those keeping score, this event is teed up to deliver a significant economic bump to the state. The details, according to Lee's office, suggest that the MLB Speedway Classic could drive in excess of $10 million in direct economic impact. It's an economic home run that gains its swing from the Special Event Fund—a cool $25 million appropriated just last year to attract big-name events. These events ought to generate a net economic benefit of at least $1 million in state tax revenue, which should be no small feat for an event of this caliber.

And, of course, what's a major sporting event without fans? Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Mark Ezell, couldn't be more thrilled about the draw this event will have. "We are home to the best sports fans in the nation, and now they—along with thousands of fans from around the globe—will get to experience Major League Baseball here for the very first time," Ezell told the governor's office. This isn't just a ball game—it's also exposing the "birthplace of country music" to a broader audience, with various musical festivities planned to complement the event.

Robert D. Manfred Jr., Commissioner of Baseball, hailed the upcoming classic as a unique sports spectacle that fans will not forget. "Major League Baseball is excited to deliver a special game at Bristol Motor Speedway, a unique setting that sports fans will remember forever," Manfred said. The pairing of the Reds and Braves is further sweetened by their regional proximity and the promise of dynamic on-field talent, teeing up a weekend full of baseball excellence and regional charm.

The economic impact of tourism is nothing to balk at either. With a $30.6 billion record in direct visitor spending logged for 2023, per Tourism Economics data, the MLB Speedway Classic is set to add to Tennessee's cache as a big-hit destination. Visitor spending alone raked in $3.2 billion in state and local tax revenues last year, fueling what is undoubtedly a sweet spot in Tennessee's wider economic machine.