BRISTOL, Tenn. (WISH) — Saturday’s MLB Speedway Classic is set to break the all-time regular season single-game attendance record, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday.
With more than 85,000 tickets sold to date, the matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves at Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway will eclipse the previous paid attendance record of 84,587, set on Sept. 12, 1954, when Cleveland Stadium hosted the New York Yankees.
The game marks the first time a regular-season American or National League game will be played in the state of Tennessee. Fans from all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and nine countries across four continents have purchased tickets.
An historic night at the speedway
The Speedway Classic will feature racing-inspired uniforms, a custom victory lane trophy presentation, and an atmosphere infused with NASCAR culture as MLB honors the sport’s deep ties to Bristol and the iconic venue.
Before the game, Hall of Famers Chipper Jones (Braves) and Johnny Bench (Reds), who each spent their entire careers with Saturday’s competing clubs, will participate in a ceremonial first pitch.
Honoring the U.S. Navy and NASCAR traditions
In celebration of the U.S. Navy’s upcoming 250th birthday in October, the Navy will be spotlighted throughout the pregame pageantry. Musician First Class Kathryn Dobyns will perform the national anthem, accompanied by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard from Washington, D.C., and a flyover by four F/A-18 Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.
NASCAR will also be honored with a pregame player parade modeled after NASCAR driver introductions, fan-interactive racing-themed activities, and victory lane ceremony for the winning team.
Star-studded musical lineup
Country music superstar Tim McGraw will headline a special pregame concert, alongside performances by Pitbull and Jake Owen.
Earlier in the day, the Speedway Classic Fan Zone, a festival that covers a space nearly the size of four football fields, will feature live sets by Owen, Timothy Wayne, Reyna Roberts and Adam Doleac.