The Home Run Derby has become a staple of the MLB All-Star week, the 2026 edition will feature some new changes.
The main difference for the 2026 Home Run Derby is the elimination of the running clock and "outs." The new format will use a swing-based system.
Each round will feature a specific number of swings and every swing counts towards your limit - no matter the result.
Additionally, if a player hits a home run on their final swing in a round they get to keep going until they fail to hit a home run.
How to watch the Home Run Derby?
The Home Run Derby will not air on ESPN. Instead, the 2026 Home Run Derby will stream exclusively on Netflix, a shift in how fans usually watch this event.
Home Run Derby Round Information
Round 1:
Swings: Each of the 8 participants gets 20 swings.
Scoring: Every swing counts in your total, regardless of whether or not it results in a home run.
End of Round Homer: If a batter hits a home run on their 20th swing, they keep going until they hit a ball that is not a home run.
Tiebreakers: Ties for the longest home run distance decide who moves on.
Advancement: The top 4 hitters advance to the second round.
Round 2:
Matchups: The top 4 hitters are seeded for head-to-head brackets. No. 1 faces No. 4, and No. 2 faces No. 4.
Swings: Each batter receives 15 swings.
End of Round Homer: If a batter hits a home run on their 15th swing, they keep going until they hit a ball that is not a home run.
Tiebreakers: Any ties in this round will be broken by a 3-swing tiebreaker.
Advancement: Two winners of the head-to-head matchups.
Final Round:
Swings: The final two competitors each get 15 swings.
End of Round Homer: The final-swing bonus rule applies again; if the batter homers on their 15th swing, they keep going until they hit a ball that is not a home run.
Tiebreakers: If they remained tied, a 3-swing tiebreaker determines the champion.
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