Mariners to stream Ichiro-headlined Alumni Home Run Derby free after Friday's game
The Seattle Mariners will stream an Ichiro-headlined Alumni Home Run Derby free on Mariners.TV and MLB.TV after Friday's game against Tampa Bay — though the game itself airs on Apple TV.
The Seattle Mariners will stream their Alumni Home Run Derby free without blackouts on Mariners.TV and MLB.TV following Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park. The event, headlined by Ichiro, is part of the club's 50 Seasons Celebration Weekend. The game itself airs on Apple TV.
The Seattle Mariners will stream an Alumni Home Run Derby free of charge on Friday night, August 7, 2026, following the conclusion of their game against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park. According to reports, the event — headlined by Ichiro and featuring seven players — will be available without blackouts on Mariners.TV and MLB.TV, and forms part of the club's 50 Seasons Celebration Weekend. Fans wanting to watch the full evening will need two streaming services. The game itself, opening a three-game series against the Rays, airs on Apple TV, while the alumni derby that follows sits on the Mariners' own platforms. According to reports, the club had considered not broadcasting the event at all because of logistical issues before reversing course. The announcement lands with the Mariners' derby pedigree at a high point. Cal Raleigh won the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby on July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta, an eight-batter contest that aired on ESPN for the 31st and final time. The 2026 edition moves to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Mariners to stream Alumni Home Run Derby free after Friday's Rays game
The Seattle Mariners will stage an Alumni Home Run Derby following Friday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park, and the club will stream it free without blackouts on Mariners.TV and MLB.TV.
According to reports, the event is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, and will feature a seven-player field headlined by Ichiro. Reports also indicate the derby forms part of the Mariners' 50 Seasons Celebration Weekend, marking five decades of the franchise. The Rays are in Seattle to open a three-game series, according to those reports.
The broadcast almost did not happen. Reports suggest the Mariners had considered not airing the alumni derby at all because of logistical issues, before reversing course and settling on the streaming plan. The decision means fans can watch at no cost on either of the club's two streaming platforms.
The identities of the six participants joining Ichiro have not been disclosed, and the club has not said what time the derby will begin once the game concludes. Details of the format and rules have also not been announced.
Two streaming services needed to watch the full night
Fans hoping to catch the whole evening will need more than one subscription. The Alumni Home Run Derby itself is easy to watch: it streams free, with no blackout restrictions, on both Mariners.TV and MLB.TV, so anyone can tune in without paying. The game preceding it is a different matter. Friday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park aired exclusively on Apple TV, not on the Mariners' own platforms. That means viewers who want to watch the full nine innings and then stay for the alumni contest must switch services once the game ends — Apple TV for the baseball, then Mariners.TV or MLB.TV for the home runs.
Raleigh's 2025 derby win and ESPN's final broadcast
The alumni contest follows a memorable chapter in the club's derby history. Cal Raleigh won the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby on July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, giving the Mariners a champion in the sport's premier power-hitting showcase. That event featured eight MLB batters and aired on ESPN, which carried the competition for the 31st and final time. The T-Mobile Home Run Derby, as the event is officially known, is an annual competition typically held the Monday before the MLB All-Star Game in July. Raleigh's victory last summer means Seattle enters its own alumni celebration with fresh derby credentials, bridging the franchise's past stars and its current slugging success.
What comes next for the derby in 2026
The alumni event arrives months before the main attraction. The 2026 Home Run Derby is scheduled for Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, though MLB has not yet confirmed the exact date. The competition, officially the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, is traditionally held the Monday before the All-Star Game in July.
Much about the Mariners' own derby also remains unclear. Beyond Ichiro, the identities of the other six participants have not been announced. The club has not said when the event will begin once Friday's game ends, nor released details of its format or rules. The Mariners had reportedly considered not broadcasting the derby at all because of logistical issues before settling on the streaming plan, according to reports.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Mariners Alumni Home Run Derby?
According to reports, the Seattle Mariners scheduled an Alumni Home Run Derby for Friday, August 7, 2026, following the conclusion of that night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park. The event was reportedly part of the Mariners' 50 Seasons Celebration Weekend. The exact start time after the game has not been announced.
How can I watch the Mariners Alumni Home Run Derby for free?
The Alumni Home Run Derby was made available to stream free without blackouts on Mariners.TV and MLB.TV. Note that the Mariners' game against the Tampa Bay Rays that night aired on Apple TV, so viewers needed a different streaming service for the game itself than the one carrying the alumni derby.
Who is participating in the Mariners Alumni Home Run Derby?
According to reports, seven players are set to participate in the Seattle Mariners Alumni Home Run Derby, with the event headlined by Ichiro. The identities of the other six participants have not been confirmed in available reporting. Reports also suggest the Mariners had considered not broadcasting the event due to logistical issues before deciding to stream it.
Who won the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby?
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners won the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby. The event took place on July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, and featured eight MLB batters. It aired on ESPN for the 31st and final time. The derby, officially the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, is typically held the Monday before the MLB All-Star Game.
Where is the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby being held?
The 2026 Home Run Derby was scheduled to be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The exact date of the event has not been confirmed. The derby is an annual MLB home run hitting competition typically held the Monday before the MLB All-Star Game in July.
Compiled from reporting by 7 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
