The 2026 Home Run Derby participants face a new set of rules.
This could shake things up, but it may also help keep players energized and healthy.
It’s no longer a challenge of unlimited swings. Rather than rely on a timer, players will have their swings counted.
One positive side effect could be that players won’t get worn out from the competition. In recent years, we have seen players wear down, and then some enter the second half in a downturn. Coincidence? Maybe. But now we can put it to bed.
Who is in the 2026 Home Run Derby?
There are eight people in the 2026 Home Run Derby. The league went with two Philadelphia Phillies, playing it up to the home crowd.
The 2026 Home Run Derby is at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13.
Below are the eight participants:
- Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays)
- Ben Rice (New York Yankees)
- Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Willson Contreras (Boston Red Sox)
- Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox)
- Jac Caglianone (Kansas City Royals)
What are the rules for the 2026 Home Run Derby?
Below is a breakdown of the rules for the next competition.
- Batters get 20 swings in the first round.
- Batters get 15 swings in the successive rounds.
- Any swing counts against the total.
- A home run on the final swing will trigger continuous extra swings. This continues until a batter fails to hit a homer.
- The four players with the most homers in the first round advance to the semifinals.
- The semifinals are done with seeding. It’s No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3. Winners advance.
- If there is a tie in the first round, the winner is the player who hit the longest homer.
- Ties in the last two rounds are decided by a three-swing swing-off.
When is the 2026 Derby and how do we watch it?
The 2026 contest is at 8/7c (5 p.m. PT) on Monday, July 13.
Early coverage begins at 7/6c (4 p.m. PT).
Here’s the possible bad news for some folks: Netflix provides the coverage.
Having it on Netflix makes the Derby available to more people, but that also means people have to subscribe.
Also, the All-Star Game is on FOX. It airs at 8/7c (5 p.m. PT) on Tuesday, July 14. Pre-game coverage begins at 7/6c (4 p.m. PT).
