The wording of the announcement, particularly the emphasis on “new,” has fueled speculation about whether a former cover athlete could return.
WASHINGTON — The annual reveal of the “MLB The Show” cover athlete is typically one of the most anticipated moments of the baseball offseason, offering fans an early glimpse of the star power tied to the upcoming game. This year, however, San Diego Studios is taking a different approach.
The developer announced Monday on social media that MLB The Show 26 will not feature a new cover athlete, a decision that immediately sparked speculation among fans about what the game’s cover might look like.
“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,” the statement reads. “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 wording of the announcement, particularly the emphasis on “new,” has fueled speculation about whether a former cover athlete could return, whether the game might feature multiple players or have a nontraditional cover design.
San Diego Studios offered no further details, leaving fans to watch the franchise’s social media channels for clues.
Since 2006, MLB The Show has featured a mix of current stars and legends on its cover, including David Ortiz, Ken Griffey Jr., Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Last year’s edition, MLB The Show 25, marked the first time multiple players — Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson — shared the cover.
If the franchise opts to revisit past cover athletes, recent standouts such as Ohtani, Judge or Guerrero could be candidates, particularly following postseason success and major individual awards. Another possibility is a dual or team cover, a strategy used by other sports franchises following high-profile matchups or historic seasons.
San Diego Studios has not announced an official release date for MLB The Show 26, but the series traditionally launches in mid-to-late March. MLB The Show 25 was released March 18, while MLB The Show 24 arrived March 19, suggesting a similar timeline for this year’s installment.
More details about the game, including its cover, are expected in the coming weeks as the start of the 2026 MLB season approaches.