Observed Signal · Aug 7, 2026 · Partnership · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Netflix Adds Kevin Costner to Field of Dreams Game
Netflix will exclusively stream the MLB Field of Dreams Game on Thursday, August 13, 2026, when the Philadelphia Phillies face the Minnesota Twins in Dyersville, Iowa. The streamer confirmed Kevin Costner will participate in this year's event, though his exact role has not been detailed. The game returns after a four-year absence following stadium upgrades to a permanent Field of Dreams complex. Netflix’s broadcast is its third live MLB event of the season and precedes the platform’s expanded NFL schedule. MLB and Netflix officials say the focus will be on preserving the event’s nostalgic setting and story rather than reinventing the telecast.
Netflix securing exclusive streaming for a marquee MLB event and involving a high-profile cultural figure (Kevin Costner) signals growing premium live sports inventory on streaming platforms and matters for CTV programming and monetization strategies.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- The MLB at Field of Dreams Game will be played on Thursday, August 13, 2026, between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins in Dyersville, Iowa.
- The matchup will stream exclusively on Netflix at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Kevin Costner will be part of this year’s Field of Dreams event; Netflix has not specified his exact role.
- The Field of Dreams Game returns after a four-year absence following upgrades that added a permanent stadium and expanded facilities.
- This marks Netflix’s third live MLB event of the 2026 season, after Opening Night and the T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
Connected Companies & Entities
6 Entities mapped“The matchup will stream exclusively on Netflix at 7:30 p.m. ET, marking the service’s third live MLB event of the season after Opening Night...”
“The matchup will stream exclusively on Netflix at 7:30 p.m. ET, marking the service’s third live MLB event of the season after Opening Night...”
“Those games aired on Fox and quickly became some of the most celebrated regular-season broadcasts in recent memory....”
““This is about us not overthinking this or trying to do too much,” Netflix Vice President of Sports Gabe Spitzer told Front Office Sports....”
“After a four-year absence, the MLB at Field of Dreams Game returns on Thursday, August 13, when the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twin...”
“The Field of Dreams Game serves as Netflix’s final marquee sports event before football season takes center stage. In the weeks that follow,...”
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Related Market Signals & Shifts
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Netflix Targets Kevin Costner for Field of Dreams Game
Netflix is reportedly trying to bring actor Kevin Costner to its 2026 MLB Field of Dreams Game broadcast. The streamer will air the Field of Dreams Game — scheduled for August 13, 2026, between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies — as part of its expanded live-MLB rights package, which also includes MLB Opening Night and the Home Run Derby. Netflix is assembling a personality-driven broadcast team (including Elle Duncan, Barry Bonds, CC Sabathia, Hunter Pence, Anthony Rizzo, Matt Vasgersian and Lauren Shehadi) and aims to recreate the emotional, cinematic presentation associated with the Field of Dreams IP. The move is part of Netflix’s strategy to strengthen its live sports storytelling on a streaming-first platform.
Netflix and MLB Debut at Home Run Derby
Netflix and Major League Baseball are partnering for the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia as the first year of Netflix’s three-year rights deal. The streamer is rolling marketing activations — including a touring “Home Run Derby Truck,” bejeweled vehicles and talent cameos — to amplify the event. Netflix previously streamed other MLB programming this season (including the New York Yankees’ Opening Day game). The move marks Netflix taking over the Derby after ESPN televised the event for more than three decades. MLB executive Kenny Gersh described the Derby as more pageantry than a regular game.
Netflix Home Run Derby Viewership Down 7%
Netflix’s Home Run Derby broadcast drew an estimated 5.3 million viewers, making it the event’s smallest audience since 2003 and roughly 7% lower than last year’s 5.7 million on ESPN/ESPN2. The audience skewed younger: Netflix reported a median viewer age of 44.3, the youngest for the Derby since 2014. The article notes Netflix previously reached 3 million viewers for its MLB Opening Night broadcast and that Netflix will air the 2026 Fields of Dreams Game on August 13, 2026 featuring the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. The coverage frames the result as a modest setback amid Netflix’s broader push into live sports and event programming.
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