DYERSVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Field of Dreams is dreaming big in 2026 with a series of events expected to generate at least $40 million in local economic activity.
“That kind of makes me shiver all over I got to be honest with you,” said Keith Rahe, Travel Dubuque President & CEO. “This gives us the ability to grow, but still maintain that rural atmosphere that makes the Field of Dreams the magic that it is.”
The Dyersville movie site will host its third Major League Baseball next year, one of the events the movie site’s owners previewed in Thursday’s press conference.
A Labor Day weekend concert event was also announced with the following headliners:
- Shinedown on Friday, September 4
- Carrie Underwood on Saturday, September 5
- Creed on Sunday, September 6
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at velocityfest.live. The event is expected to generate at least $15 million in economic activity for the area.
When the Field of Dreams hosted this year’s concert series featuring Tim McGraw and Nickelback, which brough 35,000 people to Dyersville, The Palace Saloon Bar & Grill owner Russ Steger had to double his staff, brining friends and family to help cater the crowds.
“To have grown up here and live here, and now everyone really gets to experience this, it’s a big deal. A lot of people come from a long ways away to enjoy this,” said Steger.
The Field of Dreams will also debut new expansions in 2026.
MLB Game
The Major League Baseball will return to the site for the third time on August 13, 2026 for a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins, the league announced Wednesday.
Field of Dreams leadership estimate the game to generate around $9 million in local economic activity.
The first game featured the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in 2021, and the Chicago Cubs played the Cincinnati Reds in 2022.
The series has been on hold as the grounds underwent renovation, including adding a new youth baseball and softball complex and a renovated stadium to host games.
The Field of Dreams will also host a Minor League Baseball game between the Iowa Cubs and the St. Paul Saints on August 11, 2026.
Northwoods League All-Star Game
The Field of Dreams will host a two-day event for the Northwoods League, with the Northwoods League Home Run Challenge on July 7 and the All-Star Game on July 8.
More youth sports
The site is building a youth sports complex with four parks in summer 2026. The complex eventually plans to expand up to 10 fields.
The site says it hosted 637 youth baseball teams this year. It marked a record number for the site, while generating an economic impact of $14.2 million. It says 204 teams have already signed up for 2026.
More than 700 teams are expected to sign up for youth baseball and softball tournaments at the Field of Dreams in 2026.
Youth softball registration will open in early January.
‘Bring it Home’ campaign
The Field of Dreams launched a $120 million capital campaign to fund preservation of the original movie site, the ballpark, the youth sports complex and leadership programming.
Rahe says upcoming development will not tarnish the Field of Dreams’ magic.
“That beautiful house at the end of that long lane, that magical ball park, you’re not going to see any hotel or any kind of retail that blocks that view. That’s what you’re seeing,” said Rahe.
The site hopes to raise $40 million more to reach their goal.
In fundraising efforts, there will be an upcoming invitation for anyone to buy and own a “stalk” from the Field of Dreams.
More information is available at bringithomeiowa.com.
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