Aaron Judge is returning to the spotlight as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26, marking a historic moment for both the Yankees captain and the beloved baseball simulation franchise. San Diego Studio revealed the news on January 27, 2026, ending speculation after teasing that there would be “not a new cover athlete” for this year’s game. Judge becomes only the second player ever to grace the cover twice, with baseball Hall of Famer Joe Mauer being the only other player to achieve this honor.
The Journey From 2018 to 2026
Judge’s first appearance on MLB The Show came in 2018 following his record-breaking rookie season in 2017, when he crushed 52 home runs and took the league by storm. Eight years later, he’s returning to the cover with an even more impressive resume. The Yankees outfielder has since become a three-time AL MVP winner (2022, 2024, and 2025), seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger award winner, and the AL single-season home run record holder with 62 homers set in 2022.
This year’s cover features Judge wearing his Team USA World Baseball Classic uniform, as he was named captain of Team USA ahead of the 2026 tournament. San Diego Studio hinted that this uniform choice will have significance for the game’s Diamond Dynasty mode, though specific details are still under wraps.
Release Date and Pre-Order Information
MLB The Show 26 will officially launch on March 17, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Players who pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition will get four days of early access starting March 13, 2026 at 12 AM Eastern time. Pre-orders for both the Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition open on February 3, 2026 at 9 AM Pacific time through TheShow.com, platform-specific storefronts, and select retailers.
The Digital Deluxe Edition will include early access along with additional in-game content for Diamond Dynasty mode, continuing the franchise’s tradition of offering premium options for dedicated fans. A gameplay trailer showcasing the new features and improvements is scheduled to drop on February 3, coinciding with the pre-order launch.
Judge’s Dominance Continues
Judge’s selection as the cover athlete comes after another spectacular season in 2025, where he won his third MVP award and second consecutive honor. He hit 53 home runs while capturing his first batting title with a .331 average – 20 points better than anyone else in the majors. The 53 home runs marked the most ever for a batting champion in baseball history. He led all of MLB in OPS (1.144), wRC+ (204), and fWAR (10.1), while setting an AL record with 36 intentional walks.
The 6-foot-7 outfielder has solidified himself as one of the game’s all-time greats, with four seasons of at least 50 home runs under his belt. He became the fourth player ever to achieve that milestone and passed Yankees legends Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio for fourth on the team’s all-time home run list. After his historic 2022 campaign, Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees and was named team captain.
What’s New in MLB The Show 26
San Diego Studio previously announced in November 2025 that MLB The Show 26 will feature significant improvements to pitch effects and bat-ball physics. The development team is also placing a focus on mid-to-late career progression in the Road to the Show mode, allowing players to experience the full arc of a professional baseball career beyond just the early years.
Additional gameplay features coming to MLB The Show 26 include Bear Down, Big Zone Hitting, PCI Sensitivity, Fixed Zone, and Free Anchor options. The game will also introduce new defensive mechanics such as catches on the run, more efficient cutoff throws, and enhanced catcher animations with pop time as a separate attribute. Fielder reaction ratings will be split into four directional attributes instead of one, adding more realism to defensive play. ABS (Automated Ball-Strike system) and PitchCom will add even more replay depth for players looking to recreate authentic MLB experiences.
A Personal Moment for Judge
For Judge, being on the cover again holds special meaning. When he returned home to California last Thanksgiving, he discovered about 50 unopened copies of MLB The Show 18 in his parents’ closet, with more scattered in his New York and Florida homes. Seeing his first cover gave him goosebumps and reminded him of his childhood dreams of playing video games and hoping to make an impact.
Judge is the only Yankees player to appear on the flagship edition cover of MLB The Show in the 21 years the game has existed in its current format. While Derek Jeter appeared on a special collector’s edition of MLB The Show 23, Judge remains the face of the franchise for the Bronx Bombers in the main series.
Breaking From Recent Tradition
MLB The Show 26 marks a return to the traditional single-cover athlete format after MLB The Show 25 featured three rising stars together: Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds, and Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles. Judge becomes the first reigning MVP to appear on The Show’s cover since Shohei Ohtani in 2022, joining other recent MVP cover athletes like Josh Donaldson (2016), Miguel Cabrera (2014), Joe Mauer (2010), and Dustin Pedroia (2009).
Frequently Asked Questions
When does MLB The Show 26 release?
MLB The Show 26 officially launches on March 17, 2026, with early access starting March 13, 2026 for Digital Deluxe Edition pre-orders.
Who is the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26?
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is the cover athlete. This is his second time on the cover, with his first appearance being MLB The Show 18.
What platforms will MLB The Show 26 be available on?
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
When do pre-orders start for MLB The Show 26?
Pre-orders for both Standard and Digital Deluxe editions begin February 3, 2026 at 9 AM Pacific time.
How many MVP awards has Aaron Judge won?
Aaron Judge has won three AL MVP awards in his career – in 2022, 2024, and 2025. He’s a three-time MVP winner, seven-time All-Star, and five-time Silver Slugger award winner.
What new features are coming to MLB The Show 26?
New features include improved pitch effects, enhanced bat-ball physics, new hitting options (Bear Down, Big Zone Hitting, PCI Sensitivity), improved fielding mechanics, split reaction ratings, and the addition of ABS and PitchCom systems.
Has anyone else been on the MLB The Show cover twice?
Yes, Hall of Famer Joe Mauer is the only other player to appear on the cover twice (2010 and 2011). Aaron Judge is now the second player to achieve this honor.
Why is Aaron Judge wearing a Team USA uniform on the cover?
Judge was named captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and San Diego Studio has teased that this uniform will be featured in the game’s Diamond Dynasty mode.
Final Thoughts
Aaron Judge’s return to the MLB The Show cover represents more than just marketing – it’s a celebration of one of baseball’s most dominant players at the peak of his powers. With three MVP awards, Hall of Fame trajectory statistics, and the captaincy of both the Yankees and Team USA, Judge embodies excellence in America’s pastime. As MLB The Show 26 prepares to launch in March, fans can look forward to experiencing the game through the lens of one of its greatest modern stars, complete with enhanced gameplay mechanics and new features that promise to deliver the most authentic baseball simulation yet.