New York, January 28, 2026 – Aaron Judge, the towering slugger for the New York Yankees, is set to grace the cover of MLB The Show 26, marking his second appearance as the face of the popular video game franchise.This exciting news confirms Judge’s continued dominance both on and off the field, solidifying his status as a baseball icon.
- MLB The Show 26 launches on March 17 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
- Preordering the digital deluxe edition grants early access beginning March 13.
- The game will feature the return of the World Baseball Classic in Diamond Dynasty mode.
- Judge previously appeared on the cover of MLB The Show 18.
San Diego Studios revealed Judge as the cover athlete on Tuesday, following a playful attempt to mislead fans on Monday with an announcement stating there would be “no new cover athlete” this year.The cover art showcases judge in both his iconic Yankee pinstripes and a Team USA jersey, a nod to his commitment to representing his country.
What makes Aaron Judge such a popular figure in both baseball and gaming? His exceptional talent, combined with his leadership qualities, has made him a fan favourite and a natural fit for the MLB The Show franchise.
A Captain on and off the Field
Judge was the first player to commit to playing for the united States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and will serve as the team captain. This leadership role mirrors his influence within the Yankees clubhouse and further elevates his profile as a prominent figure in the sport. His dedication to Team USA is visually represented on the game’s cover, alongside his familiar Yankee uniform.
This isn’t Judge’s first time at the plate with MLB The Show. He previously graced the cover of MLB The Show 18 after a breakout rookie season in 2017. His selection for MLB The Show 26 comes on the heels of being named American League MVP in each of the past two seasons and three times in the last four years.
Since becoming MLB’s officially-licensed video game franchise in 2006, only Joe Mauer had previously appeared on the main game cover in consecutive years, doing so in 2010 and 2011. Judge is the first Yankees player to be featured on the cover, though Derek Jeter appeared on a special edition release of MLB The Show 23.
Gamers eager to step into the virtual dugout can mark their calendars. MLB The Show 26 will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and nintendo Switch.Those who pre-order the digital deluxe edition will enjoy early access starting March 13. The official gameplay trailer is scheduled for release on Febuary 3, promising a deeper look into the game’s features, including the return of the World Baseball Classic in Diamond Dynasty mode.
