MLB The Show 26 Skips Traditional New Cover Athlete Reveal
Updated (2 articles)
No New Cover Athlete Announced for 2026 Edition San Diego Studios posted on X that the upcoming MLB The Show 26 will not feature a new player on its cover, breaking a year‑long tradition of unveiling a fresh star each season [1][2]. The brief statement thanked the community for its support and directed fans to monitor the franchise’s social channels for further details [1][2]. No rationale for the decision was provided, leaving the cover format open to speculation [1][2].
Series History Shows Consistent Star‑Driven Covers Since its 2006 debut, the franchise has highlighted current stars and legends such as David Ortiz, Ken Griffey Jr., Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on its covers [1][2]. The 2025 edition broke that pattern by featuring three athletes—Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson—together on a single cover, the first multi‑player design in series history [1][2]. This precedent fuels discussion about whether 2026 will revert to a single past cover star, expand the multi‑player concept, or adopt a non‑traditional graphic [1][2].
Fans Speculate on Alternative Designs as Release Nears Observers wonder if a former cover athlete will return, if a team‑based or abstract design could appear, or if the game will launch without any player imagery [1][2]. Industry analysts note that MLB The Show 26 is likely to arrive in mid‑to‑late March, mirroring the March 18 release of the 2025 edition and the March 19 launch of the 2024 version [1][2]. The studio’s invitation to watch its social feeds keeps the speculation active while the exact cover strategy remains unconfirmed [1][2].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
WBNS: MLB The Show 26 announced without a new cover athlete: Reports the X announcement, emphasizes the lack of explanation, and highlights fan speculation about alternative cover concepts, noting the studio’s brief gratitude message.
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[2]
King5: MLB The Show 26 Announces No New Cover Athlete: Mirrors the X post, stresses the community‑focused tone of the studio’s statement, and points out speculation about reusing past cover stars or unconventional designs while confirming the expected March launch window.
Timeline
2006 – MLB The Show launches as an annual baseball video‑game franchise, establishing a tradition of featuring a single cover athlete—ranging from current stars to Hall‑of‑Fame legends—on each edition’s packaging. [1][2]
Mar 19, 2024 – MLB The Show 24 releases in mid‑March, continuing the series’ pattern of debuting just before the MLB season and spotlighting a new cover star (specific athlete not detailed in the sources). [1][2]
Mar 18, 2025 – MLB The Show 25 hits shelves, breaking precedent by presenting the franchise’s first multi‑player cover featuring Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson, a shift that reshapes the series’ marketing focus. [1][2]
2025 season – The three‑player cover on MLB The Show 25 becomes a notable marketing highlight, prompting fans and analysts to anticipate further experimentation with cover formats in future releases. [1][2]
Jan 26, 2026 – San Diego Studios announces on X that MLB The Show 26 will not feature a new cover athlete, posting: “First off, we at San Diego Studios want to thank you… we wanted to let everyone know that this year we have decided that we will not have a new cover athlete.” The studio thanks the community and urges fans to watch its social channels for upcoming details. [1][2]
Jan 26, 2026 – The same statement emphasizes gratitude and excitement for the upcoming game, explicitly noting the decision to forego a new cover star while leaving open the possibility of reusing a past cover athlete or adopting an unconventional design. [1][2]
Mar 2026 (mid‑to‑late) – Industry observers project that MLB The Show 26 will launch in a similar mid‑March window as prior editions (2025’s March 18 and 2024’s March 19), aligning the release with the start of the MLB season. [1][2]
External resources (1 links)
- https://x.com/MLBTheShow/status/2015832109617693135 (cited 2 times)