2026 PlayStation published game confirms PS5 release

PlayStation and developer San Diego Studio has just officially announced it MLB The Show 26 will be heading to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2026. This confirmation from PlayStation came alongside the announcement of MLB The Show 26s cover star athlete, the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge.

For almost 30 years now, it has MLB franchise has had a close relationship with PlayStation, where Sony Interactive Studios delivers MLB Pennant Race for the original PlayStation back in 1996. Since then, a new MLB the entry has been released every year without fail and has often received positive reviews from critics. Sales-wise, MLB The Show also continues to be a huge success for the PlayStation, with MLB The Show 25 is the second best-selling game in the franchise in October 2025, according to Circana's Mat Piscatella.

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PlayStation announces MLB The Show 26 release date and cover athlete

The standard edition launches on March 17
Deluxe Edition Early Access begins March 13

MLB The Show 26 will officially launch on March 17th, with pre-orders going live on February 3rd at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET. Two versions of MLB The Show 26 will be available for purchase: a Standard Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition. While the content of the Digital Deluxe Edition has not yet been confirmed, PlayStation has announced that it will give players four days of early access, allowing them to play MLB The Show 26 from March 13.

In the same blog post that confirmed its release date, PlayStation announced MLB The Show 26s cover athlete. Returning for the second time following his 2018 cover appearance, New York Yankees' Aaron Judge will grace the key art of MLB The Show 26. As PlayStation says, Aaron Judge is a “3-time AL MVP, 7-time All-Star, 5-time Silver Slugger Award winner,” making him more than worthy of a reprisal.

Those eagerly awaiting more game details won't have to wait long, as PlayStation has confirmed that a new MLB The Show 26 the gameplay trailer will be released on February 3rd, the same day that pre-orders are released. This gameplay trailer will include “updates on the features you know and love, plus some special surprises.” Following the official announcement in November 2025, the San Diego Studio has teased some new game features on the way to MLB The Show 26 which will surely be seen in the upcoming gameplay trailer.

More specifically, San Diego Studio previously teased a greater focus on “advanced logic and new data metrics,” as well as improved “bat-ball physics” and pitch effects. New cutoff throws, catches on the run, and new animations for kneeling catchers have all been mentioned, as well as a new Fielder Reaction Rating that is broken down into four directional attributes instead of the usual one. For those who really want to get into the weeds MLBs more simulation-heavy aspects, The show 26 also introduces features such as PCI Sensitivity, Free Anchor, Free Zone and Big Zone Hitting. Fans are sure to see at least some of these new gameplay features MLB The Show 26the trailer for February 3.

Towards the end of the PlayStation MLB The Show 26 release date, it also confirmed that the Homage x MLB The Show apparel partnership is returning this year. The first product to hit is a shirt featuring cover athlete Aaron Judge The show 26 logo. This shirt is available now via the Homage website and is available in both adult and youth sizes.