Major League Baseball officially cancelled its 2020 All-Star Game on Friday, the first time since World War II that the mid-season showcase has been scrapped.
The exhibition was scheduled for July 14 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and MLB said the Dodgers would now host instead in 2022.
The 2021 edition has already been awarded to the Atlanta Braves.
"Based on the health circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic that are beyond MLB's control along with governmental directives prohibiting large gatherings, the league determined it is unable to conduct the All-Star Game and its week of surrounding fan activities this year," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
"Once it became clear we were unable to hold this year's All-Star festivities, we wanted to award the Dodgers with the next available All-Star Game, which is 2022."
Manfred thanked the Dodgers for their work in preparing for the game "and for being patient and understanding in navigating the uncertainty created by the pandemic."
California has seen a 92 percent increase in COVID-19 cases this week compared to two weeks ago.
The July 14 date would have put the All-Star game during teams' pre-season training camps in preparation for a delayed, shortened season due to the pandemic.
A 60-game regular season, to be followed by playoffs, is expected to begin July 23-24.
Since its inception in 1933, the All-Star Game had been a summer staple every year except 1945, when wartime travel restrictions forced its cancellation.