MLB The Show 26 Early Access starts today, March 13, and it’s your chance to get a leg up on this year’s competition. Jump start your journey to greatness with all-new challenges at the World Baseball Classic in Diamond Dynasty*, plus experience new Programs, Events, Packs, and Player Items to get you ready to take the field. Pre-order now to receive four-day Early Access to MLB The Show 26 and a Gold Choice Pack.
With MLB The Show 26 Digital Deluxe Edition, you’ll also get to enjoy all this:
- Early access to MLB The Show 26¹
- 20 The Show Packs
- 2 WBC Choice Packs
- 1 Legend Choice Pack
- 1 WBC Uniform Pack
- 1 Equipment Pack
- Double Daily Login Rewards
- 1 Cover Athlete Bat Skin Pack
- 20,000 Stubs
Don’t miss out on our pre-order loyalty discount. You will receive 10% off your Digital Deluxe Edition pre-order² if you have purchased any digital version of MLB The Show that’s been released since MLB The Show 21³. The pre-order loyalty discount expires when the game launches on March 17.
Early Access gives you so much content and an advanced look at all the action you’ll be playing in MLB The Show 26. Let’s break it down.
What’s on deck for Early Access
Step up on the world stage
Experience the thrill of international competition at the World Baseball Classic in Diamond Dynasty*. Build your legendary lineup, test your skills, and see if you can turn your club into world champs. Make your mark at all four tournament ballparks, including the electric atmospheres of the Tokyo Dome and Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Earn World Baseball Classic cards to level up your squad and compete in new World Baseball Classic online events. Are you up for the challenge?
Leadoff with live content
Step onto the world stage and experience the excitement of the World Baseball Classic as it unfolds in real-time. Early Access gives you the chance to compete at the international tournament in Diamond Dynasty* before anyone else.
Earn 130+ player cards, take on four themed Pool Programs highlighting all 20 teams, and watch how the World Baseball Classic shapes the game as the Final’s MVP is added to the Collection.
Discover what else is coming to MLB The Show 26:
Programs
XP Path: Give your team a boost. All earned XP funnels to reward players with packs and Stubs. Occurs every 4 weeks with 1 Boss Choice Pack at the end.
Team Affinity: Your go-to place to earn rewards unique to each of the 30 teams. Rep your favorite teams to unlock better rewards to show off your fandom.
Single-player Modes
Offline Players rejoice. There’s more options than ever to play and grow your DD Prowess:
Mini Seasons: Customize how you play by adjusting innings and games across varying themes & bracket styles, including the World Baseball Classic bracket. More mini-season themes will be added throughout the year to always give you fresh content to play with your evolving squads.
Diamond Quest: Coach is Back. Put your strategies to the test and come out on top in this rogue-like mode featuring Moments, Mini Boss challenges, & three-inning games. The more you win, the higher your reward drop rates.
Multiplayer modes**
Multiplayer Programs: If playing against human opponents is more your speed, all your games and progress will be applied to the multiplayer programs. Take on new competition and complete challenges in any multiplayer mode to earn some of the best in-game rewards.
Grow your collections
Live Series: Build out active MLB team rosters to earn massive rewards including Albert Pujols, Félix Hernández, and Troy Tulowitzki along with team specific legend rewards. Combine your favorite current stars with legends from the past to make your DD squad entirely yours.
Become a legend
Choose from more than 220 new and returning Legends* spanning every era of baseball to build your legendary lineup. Take the field with game-changing players like Albert Pujols, Félix Hernández, Ken Griffey Jr, Mickey Mantle, and more.
Celebrate Baseball’s rich history in Storylines: The Negro Leagues Season 4
The next chapter of baseball’s celebrated history is here with Storylines*: The Negro Leagues – Season 4. Experience a symphony of greatness and discover the inspiring trailblazers of the Negro Leagues like John Henry ‘Pop’ Lloyd, George “Mule” Suttles, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, and Roy Campanella.
Homage x MLB The Show apparel drops today
Our Homage X MLB The Show apparel collection is also available today on the Homage store. Check out two new shirts and find the perfect fit to celebrate your fandom off the field.
MLB The Show 26 Standard Edition is coming soon
Early Access is just the beginning. The full launch for MLB The Show Standard Edition is available March 16 at 9 pm PT / March 17 at 12 am ET. Get ready to crush more challenges, earn new rewards, and take your journey further than ever. Ready to make your mark?
Stay locked in
Be sure to follow @MLBTheShow on social, so you don’t miss a moment of the action this year. Plus, sign up for The Scouting Report, and get rewarded all season long with exclusive monthly Scouting Report Packs and other perks. We’ll see you in The Show!
*Internet connection required.
**Internet connection and console-specific online multiplayer subscription required.
¹Play from 9 pm PT on March 12, 2026. The game launches for Standard Edition on March 16 at 9 pm PT.
2Discount reflected in cart. Must be signed into your account. Only applies to same platform purchases.
³For Nintendo Switch, since MLB The Show 22
