Inductions of Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent Highlight Hall of Fame Weekend 2026, July 24-27

(COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.) – Baseball contemporaries Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent spent the better portion of their big league careers donning different caps and logos. Now, as their paths converge in Cooperstown, they will forever be uniformed in bronze.

The sporting world will soon turn to Cooperstown to watch the trio be immortalized as the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. More than 60 Hall of Famers are expected to return to Central New York to watch their peers take their place alongside the game’s most elite.

The 2026 Induction Ceremony will be held Sunday, July 26, at 1:30 p.m. ET on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center, located just one mile south of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Jeff Kent was the first player announced to the Class of 2026 with his election last December by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. The center fielder pair of Beltrán and Jones joined him in January, earning election by vote of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Kent’s 17-season big league career (1992-2008) spanned across the Blue Jays, Mets, Indians, Giants, Astros and Dodgers, yielding five All-Star selections and four Silver Slugger Awards. In 2000, Kent was named the National League Most Valuable Player, with Top 10 finishes in three other seasons (1997, 1998, 2002). Kent’s home run and RBI prowess are unsurpassed by second basemen; his 377 home runs are the most of any player who played at least 75 percent of games at second base, and his 351 home runs as a second baseman rank first all-time. His 12 seasons with at least 20 home runs are also the most among that group of players. With eight seasons of 100-plus RBI, Kent leads all players who appeared in at least 75 percent of their games at second base. His 1,518 career RBI rank third among middle infielders who played at least 75 percent of their games at second base or shortstop, topped only by Cal Ripken Jr. and Nap Lajoie, and he is the RBI leader for second basemen whose careers began in the Live Ball Era (post-1919). Kent is one of just 13 players to log at least 350 home runs, 550 doubles, 1,500 RBI, 1,300 runs and 800 walks; he and Cal Ripken are the lone primary second basemen/shortstops to accomplish this feat.

Carlos Beltrán played for 20 seasons (1998-2017) for the Royals, Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees and Rangers. He retired as one of just four players with at least 400 home runs, 300 steals and three Gold Glove Awards. He also retired with the fourth-most home runs among players who appeared in at least 50 percent of their games in center field, trailing only Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr. and Mickey Mantle. Beltrán’s success on 86.4 percent of career stolen base attempts (312 for 361) ranks highest among any player in history with at least 300 steals. A nine-time All-Star and the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year, Beltrán tallied eight 100-RBI seasons and seven 100-run seasons, and he logged 12 seasons of 20-plus home runs. A switch-hitter, Beltrán posted an almost identical OPS from either side of the plate (.843 as a right-handed batter and .835 as a lefty) and ranks fourth all-time among switch-hitters in home runs (435), third in RBI (1,587) and sixth in hits (2,725). He is the lone switch-hitter in history with at least 1,500 runs scored, 1,500 RBI, 300 homers and 300 steals. A two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and the recipient of the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award, Beltrán is the sixth player raised in Puerto Rico to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

Andruw Jones played for 17 seasons (1996-2012) for the Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees, notching five All-Star selections and 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards. Jones was born in Curaçao’s capital city of Willemstad, making him the first Hall of Famer born in the Dutch Caribbean. In Game 1 of the 1996 World Series, a 19-year-old Jones would burst onto the national scene with a two-homer game against the Yankees; he became the fourth player in history to hit two home runs in his first World Series game, the youngest player to homer in World Series history and just the second to homer in each of his first two World Series at-bats. With his rookie status still intact, Jones finished fifth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 1997. He helped the Braves qualify for the postseason every year from 1996-2005 and became one of just three outfielders in history to launch at least 400 home runs while winning at least 10 Gold Glove Awards. No outfielder in history has a better career defensive WAR than Jones’ 24.4.

The Induction Ceremony will be aired live on MLB Network, which has televised the event every year since its launch in 2009. The Induction Ceremony will also be shown via webcast at MLB.com, broadcast on MLB Network Radio via Sirius XM and simulcast at baseballhall.org.

The Hall of Fame Awards Presentation will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. ESPN and FOX play-by-play voice Joe Buck will be honored with the Ford C. Frick Award, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer will receive the BBWAA Career Excellence Award and Bill White will be presented with the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award. Rick Monday will also be honored in celebrating the 50th anniversary of his rescue of the American flag. Tickets to the Awards Presentation are available to the public by clicking here.

Saturday will also feature the Parade of Legends at 6 p.m. Fans can catch a glimpse of their favorite Hall of Famers as they ride down Main Street en route to a private reception at the Museum.

The Sunday, July 26 Induction Ceremony will take place on the grounds outside of the Clark Sports Center, which is located on lower Susquehanna Avenue. Free shuttles will transport fans from the corner of Main and Fair streets in the village of Cooperstown to the Induction Site from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and resume at the conclusion of the Induction Ceremony.

Follow the Hall of Fame on social media @baseballhall for the latest updates.

The Clark Sports Center is located one mile south of the Hall of Fame, and the short walk provides a picturesque view of the homes of Cooperstown. Please note that professional interpreters will be provided for the hearing impaired. The event will be held outdoors rain or shine, unless severe weather forces the cancellation of the Ceremony.

The Ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. Lawn seating is free of charge, and a blanket or lawn chair is recommended for comfortable viewing. Reserved seating options are available at the Museum’s Contributor, President’s Circle and Benefactor Membership levels. Members may call 607-547-0397 for more information. As the weather in Cooperstown can be warm in July, it is recommended that visitors bring a cap and sunscreen. The Commemorative Hall of Fame Weekend Program, Museum memberships and official Class of 2026 merchandise are available for purchase at the Retail and Membership Tent located at the Induction site, open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Refreshments are sold at the site, and water is provided complimentary to visitors.

Family activities scheduled throughout Hall of Fame Weekend 2026 include the following special events:

Friday, July 24

Turn Two with Ozzie Smith & Hall of Fame Guests Billy Wagner and Robin Yount; Plaque Gallery and On Field at Doubleday Field – 8 a.m. (Registration fee required)

Saturday, July 25

Hall of Fame Awards Presentation, Alice Busch Opera Theater – 3 p.m. (Ticket required)

Hall of Fame Parade of Legends, Main Street – 6 p.m.

Sunday, July 26

Induction Ceremony, grounds of the Clark Sports Center – 1:30 p.m.

Fireworks over Otsego Lake – 9 p.m.

Monday, July 27

The Road to Cooperstown Live Taping, Doubleday Field Featuring Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent, Doubleday Field – 10:30 a.m. (Ticket required)

Turn Two with Ozzie Smith – with special guests: Ozzie Smith returns in a fundraiser to support the Hall of Fame’s educational mission with a unique opportunity for fans, featuring his Hall of Fame teammates Billy Wagner and Robin Yount. This event offers non-stop interaction at each station with a living legend and includes special mementos. Space is limited. The donation is $1,000 per person. To reserve your spot, please call 607-547-0385. 8 a.m., Friday.

Hall of Fame Parade of Legends: Join the pageantry and excitement as the Hall of Famers ride down Main Street on their way to a private reception at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Main Street, 6 p.m., Saturday.

Fireworks: On Sunday evening, fireworks will light up the night sky over Otsego Lake. The fireworks will originate from Fairy Springs Park, one mile north of the Village of Cooperstown. 9 p.m., Sunday.

The Road to Cooperstown Live: Class of 2026 members Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent will share memories of their careers and reminisce about Induction Weekend with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi during a live taping of The Road to Cooperstown podcast at 10:30 a.m. at historic Doubleday Field. This roundtable event is for Members only, and tickets are $10 apiece. Members can purchase their tickets online or by calling 607-547-0397. Doubleday Field, 10:30 a.m., Monday.

Museum Members are afforded special opportunities throughout the Weekend. As the Hall of Fame is a nonprofit institution, membership support advances the Museum’s commitment to preserve the National Pastime and aids in the preservation of artifacts and archival materials that document the rich history of America’s game. Additionally, membership packages are wonderful and unique gifts for friends and family. Members enjoy many privileges, including free admission to the Hall of Fame year-round. To learn more about the program and its many benefits, please visit baseballhall.org/join.

Additional Hall of Fame Weekend Privileges for Members

• Free admission to the Museum throughout the year
• Exclusive early access to the Museum on Saturday and Sunday
• VIP reserved seating for the Induction Ceremony for Contributor, President’s Circle and Benefactor Members
• A complimentary copy of the Commemorative Hall of Fame Weekend Program
• Priority access to The Road to Cooperstown live taping on Monday

The Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Friday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Plaque Gallery closes at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday); Sunday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Monday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Advance tickets are not necessary but are recommended. You can purchase tickets by visiting baseballhall.org/planyourvisit or by contacting the Hall of Fame at 888-425-5633. As always, Hall of Fame Members receive free admission. For Hall of Fame Members, doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Interested parties may enroll in the Membership program in advance or at the Museum.

Parking will be extremely limited in Cooperstown during Hall of Fame Weekend. As is the case throughout the summer, the village will make parking and trolley service available at three trolley lots in Cooperstown. The Cooperstown Trolley will provide transit to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field from three different locations: the Red Lot on Route 28 (Glen Avenue) at Maple Street; the Blue Lot on Route 28 just south of Cooperstown; and the Yellow Lot on Route 80 at the upper parking lot of the Fenimore Art Museum.

A special paid parking lot, the Hank Aaron Lot, will be available only on Sunday, July 26. This lot is located on Route 33 just east of the Induction Site. Neither trolley service nor bus service extends to the Hank Aaron Lot.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has teamed up with Sports Travel and Tours to offer baseball fans a one-stop opportunity to purchase Hall of Fame Induction Weekend travel packages. For more information or to plan a trip to Cooperstown, please call 1-888-310-HALL (4255). Membership participants receive a 5% discount on all their baseball travel packages.

If you need help with accommodations during your stay, please visit thisiscooperstown.com/places-to-stay. For driving directions from major cities, area cities and local airports, visit the directions page at the Hall of Fame’s website for more information: baseballhall.org/visit.