New PlayStation-Published Game Coming to PS5 on March 17

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

For almost 30 years now, the MLB franchise has had a close relationship with PlayStation, with Sony Interactive Studios delivering MLB Pennant Race for the original PlayStation back in 1996. Since then, a new MLB entry has released every year without fail, often receiving favorable reviews from critics. Sales-wise, MLB The Show also continues to be a strong success for PlayStation, with MLB The Show 25 being the second best-selling game in the franchise as of October 2025, according to Circana's Mat Piscatella.

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By Derek Nichols

PlayStation Announces MLB The Show 26's Release Date and Cover Athlete

Standard Edition launches March 17
Deluxe Edition Early Access begins March 13

MLB The Show 26 will officially launch on March 17, with pre-orders going live on February 3 at 9am PT / 12pm ET. Two versions of MLB The Show 26 will be available to purchase: a Standard Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition. While the contents of the Digital Deluxe Edition haven't been confirmed just yet, PlayStation has announced that it will grant players four days 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 26's cover athlete. Returning for a second time following his cover appearance in 2018, the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge will grace the key art of MLB The Show 26. As PlayStation states, 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 gameplay details won't need to wait long, as PlayStation has confirmed that a new MLB The Show 26 gameplay trailer will release on February 3, the same day pre-orders go live. This gameplay trailer is set to include "updates on the features you know and love, plus a few special surprises." Following its official announcement in November 2025, San Diego Studio has teased a few new gameplay features heading to MLB The Show 26 that are sure to be seen in the upcoming gameplay trailer.

More specifically, San Diego Studio has 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 knee-down catchers have all been mentioned, as has a new Fielder Reaction Rating that's split into four directional attributes instead of the usual one. For those who really want to get into the weeds of MLB's more simulation-heavy aspects, The Show 26 is also introducing 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 in MLB The Show 26's February 3 trailer.

Towards the end of PlayStation's MLB The Show 26 release date announcement, it also confirmed that the Homage x MLB The Show apparel partnership is returning this year. The first product up to bat is a shirt that features cover athlete Aaron Judge, along with The Show 26 logo. This shirt is available now via the Homage website and comes in both adult and youth sizes.

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