If You Build It: Everything to Know About the Twins' Field of Dreams Game

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

For one night, baseball will once again trade packed ballparks for rows of Iowa corn. On August 13, the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies will meet in the long-awaited return of MLB's Field of Dreams Game, marking the event's first appearance since 2022. Hosted at the legendary movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, the nationally televised matchup brings together two contenders in one of Major League Baseball's signature showcase events.

The game will be streamed live on Netflix, and it promises to be much more than nine innings. From throwback uniforms and Hall of Fame appearances to a celebration of one of baseball's most beloved films, here's everything fans need to know before first pitch.

Baseball Returns to a Legendary Setting

The Field of Dreams Game is being played for just the third time after a four-year absence.

The inaugural contest in 2021 instantly became one of the most memorable regular-season games in recent history when the Chicago White Sox walked off the New York Yankees, 9-8, on Tim Anderson's dramatic home run. A year later, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds met in the second edition (Chicago won 4-2) before the event was paused while the Dyersville complex underwent expansion and construction.

Now, the Twins and Phillies become the latest clubs to take center stage in baseball's most cinematic setting. While the game is inspired by the famous baseball diamond featured in the movie, the teams will actually play in a specially constructed Major League stadium adjacent to the original field.

Why the Site Means So Much

Released in 1989, Field of Dreams has become one of the defining baseball movies ever made. Starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones, and Amy Madigan, the film follows Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella after he hears the now-famous message, "If you build it, he will come." Adapted from W.P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe, the movie earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture and was added to the National Film Registry in 2017.

Few sporting events blend baseball history and pop culture quite like the Field of Dreams Game, making it one of MLB's premier annual showcases whenever it's held.   

More Than Just One Game

The festivities extend well beyond Thursday night's matchup. More than 25 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame are expected to attend, creating one of the largest gatherings of Hall of Famers since Yankee Stadium's farewell festivities during the 2008 All-Star Game.

The site will also host a High School All-American Game on Wednesday, with Twins legend Torii Hunter and Hall of Famer Jim Thome serving as managers.

Fans hoping to experience the venue before the major league game can also catch Triple-A baseball earlier in the week. The St. Paul Saints will face the Iowa Cubs in Dyersville at 6:30 on Tuesday, August 11th. This gives Twins fans another opportunity to see the unique ballpark while several of the organization's top prospects are in action.   

A First for the Twins

Although Minnesota has played regular-season games away from traditional MLB stadiums before, this marks the franchise's first appearance in one of Major League Baseball's specialty showcase games. The Twins' only previous neutral-site regular-season experience came in 2018 when they played Cleveland in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This time, however, the spotlight is much brighter.

Minnesota will briefly leave a Target Field homestand to face a Phillies club that features familiar faces, including former Twins Jhoan Duran and Luis Arraez, adding another layer of intrigue to an already unique matchup.

How to Watch

Unlike the previous two editions, which aired nationally on Fox, the 2026 Field of Dreams Game will stream exclusively on Netflix. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, August 13.

The game will not be available live on Twins.TV, but fans can still listen through the Twins Radio Network, including 830 AM and 102.9 FM.

Throwback Uniforms Take Center Stage

Both teams will celebrate their history with vintage-inspired uniforms designed specifically for the event.

Minnesota's look pays tribute to the franchise's inaugural 1961 season after arriving from Washington. The Twins will wear classic white pinstripes featuring the original blue-and-red "Twins" script across the chest, paired with a navy cap showcasing the vintage TC logo.

Philadelphia will counter with uniforms inspired by the club's 1939-41 road design. The gray jerseys feature red and navy trim, a retro "Phillies" script, navy caps with a red block "P," and a commemorative sleeve patch honoring baseball's centennial celebration as it was recognized in 1939.

 

A Showcase Worth Waiting For

MLB has experimented with games at Little League parks, historic stadiums, and even racetracks, but none have captured the imagination quite like the Field of Dreams Game.

After several years away, the event returns with a compelling matchup, a nostalgic backdrop, and one of the sport's most recognizable settings. Whether it's the cornfield entrance, the vintage uniforms, or the atmosphere surrounding one of baseball's most cherished films, the Twins will be part of an event that extends far beyond the standings.

For Minnesota, it's another regular-season game. For baseball, it's a celebration of the sport's past—and a reminder that some places still make the game feel timeless.

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[Parfigliano]

Exclusively on Netflix.  F that Sht.

[dberthia]

Those uniforms should be their permanent home unis. Love 'em.

[DJL44]

Too bad it won’t air on an over the air network. I’m not going to subscribe to Netflix to watch one baseball game. Maybe I will borrow a password.

[DJL44]

If you are a Twins.Tv subscriber, I believe you are able to watch the Saints play in the minor league Field of Dreams game on Tuesday.

[bean5302]

MLB continuing to work hard to alienate the fan base. Apple TV, Amazon, Netflix, Twins TV, MLB.TV, Youtube. All you need is like 7 different subscriptions to watch baseball.

[tony&rodney]

MLB sells the subscription packages and additional money is necessary to watch your own team. Then after paying those fees, there a number of games where subscribers are blacked out. MLB wonders why it has a very large public relations problem related to how baseball is covered. Only diehards keep on with this nonsense and most of that crowd is very old. I know a ton of younger people (due to family, former occupations, etc.) and I don't know any young hardcore baseball fans. The entire morass of the media landscape turns off many people who might otherwise be interested. People should be aware that this mess is solely the work of the owners. My frustrations of paying subscriptions but then being shut out do not destroy baseball for me. It is an irritant. Many others just turn away which is why viewership in baseball is not very good and may decline further.

[DJL44]

3 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

MLB continuing to work hard to alienate the fan base. Apple TV, Amazon, Netflix, Twins TV, MLB.TV, Youtube. All you need is like 7 different subscriptions to watch baseball.

The WNBA is worse. The Lynx are on a different channel for every game.

[HarmonK03]

All sports are doing this, moving games as much as possible to the streaming services.  They are throwing a lot of money at them to do this.  And they think they will get the younger crowds, maybe some sports do but I don't think baseball is.  The death of the the regional sports network was hastened by the growth of streaming services which I don't think was a good thing.

For me, the only thing that saves me, I piggyback on my kids streaming services so I can usually get most games thru them.  Had to get something for all the tuition money I have shelled out.

[HarmonK03]

9 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

The WNBA is worse. The Lynx are on a different channel for every game.

Their main channel you have to subscribe separately to and it streams only.

[bean5302]

14 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

The WNBA is worse. The Lynx are on a different channel for every game.

The WNBA makes more headlines than they have fans.

[Hunter4848]

20 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

The WNBA is worse. The Lynx are on a different channel for every game.

Lol who watches the WNBA?!?!

[DJL44]

21 minutes ago, Hunter4848 said:

Lol who watches the WNBA?!?!

WNBA television ratings are higher than NHL television ratings.

[DJL44]

31 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

The WNBA makes more headlines than they have fans.

The August Lynx - Fever game had 2.5M average viewers with a peak of 3.1M viewers. The Twins are averaging 150,000 viewers per game.

[thelanges5]

I live in Iowa so I was able to get in the lottery for the chance to buy tickets. I won the lottery but the cheapest ticket price was $380. Needless to say I’m not going, $380 to watch a game in a corn field didn’t seem worth it to me.