Cubs-Reds matchup for next Field of Dreams

It’s official. The Field of Dreams Game is coming back in 2022, and this time the Cubs and Reds will get to emerge from the cornstalks.

Chicago and Cincinnati will square off in the second edition of MLB at Field of Dreams presented by Geico on Aug. 11, 2022, in Dyersville, Iowa, following the massive success of this month’s inaugural event. The Reds will serve as the home team as the National League Central rivals open their three-game series at the unique ballpark, followed by a Friday off-day before they resume the set over the weekend in Cincinnati.

"The Cincinnati Reds are excited to be part of MLB at Field of Dreams in 2022,” said Reds president and chief operating officer Phil Castellini as part of an official MLB statement. “Following the outstanding presentation of last week’s inaugural game between the White Sox and Yankees, it’s an honor to represent Reds Country as the home team in next year’s game."

"I think it’s going to be an incredible experience, especially for a lot of us who grew up watching the movie," said Reds manager David Bell. "From everything I’ve been told and on TV, it looks like it’s just a really special and meaningful environment they’ve created out there. ... I feel very honored and lucky to be one of the teams in the [game’s] second year."

Though Cincinnati will be the home team, don't expect the stands to be a sea of red. The Cubs enjoy a large following in Iowa, as their Triple-A club is based in Des Moines and the state is within their home television territory.

"I'm excited," Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday. "I've gotten to go to that venue before the Major League park was built, and it's a neat place in general. ... We get to play at a beautiful venue here, but to go and do something unique will be a lot of fun for the players and for our coaching staff, for sure."

Nearly six million viewers turned into the inaugural Field of Dreams Game on FOX, staged mere feet from the set of the iconic 1989 film starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta and James Earl Jones, making it the most-watched MLB regular-season game since 2005. Those viewers, along with the roughly 8,000 fans in attendance in Iowa, were treated to one of the most exciting games of the year. Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton launched two-out, two-run homers in the top of the ninth inning to put New York on top, but White Sox star Tim Anderson responded with a two-run, walk-off homer into the corn in the bottom half. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hinted before the game’s first pitch was even thrown that the sport would be back at Field of Dreams for a follow-up in ’22.

"Watching that game this year was super exciting," Cubs right-hander Rowan Wick said. "All the home runs and the energy there. Going there next year will be sweet. I'm super excited."

"It’s going to be awesome," Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. "I can’t wait."