San Diego Studios has announced that MLB The Show 26 will not feature a new cover athlete, breaking from tradition and sparking fan speculation. The developer shared the news via a statement on social media, emphasizing community support while teasing more details to come. This decision leaves open possibilities like returning stars or alternative designs for the game's artwork.
The reveal of the MLB The Show cover athlete has long been a highlight of the baseball offseason, generating buzz around the franchise's latest installment. On Monday, San Diego Studios deviated from this norm by stating that MLB The Show 26 "will not have a new cover athlete."
The announcement, posted on the game's social channels, read in part: "To our MLB The Show community: First off, we at San Diego Studios want to thank you, the MLB The Show Community, for your continued support and feedback. We know that you are all just as excited as we are for the release of MLB The Show 26, so we wanted to let everyone know that this year we have decided that we will not have a new cover athlete. Please stay tuned to all of our social channels for more information to come."
The emphasis on "new" has prompted widespread conjecture among fans and observers. Could a former cover star make a return? Or might the cover showcase a montage of past athletes, the MLB logo, or even a non-player design? San Diego Studios provided no further clarification, directing followers to monitor updates as the 2026 MLB season nears.
Since its inception in 2006, the series has spotlighted prominent players on its covers, blending current talents with legends. Recent examples include the trio of Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson for MLB The Show 25; Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the 2024 edition; and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in 2023. Earlier standouts featured Shohei Ohtani (2022), Aaron Judge (2018), and Ken Griffey Jr. (2017).
Speculation points to potential returns for high-profile figures like Ohtani or Guerrero, fresh off World Series appearances, or Judge following another MVP-caliber season. A multi-player cover, similar to past efforts in other sports titles, is another possibility.
No official release date has been set for MLB The Show 26, but the series typically launches in mid-March, aligning with previous years: March 18 for the 2025 version and March 19 for 2024. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
