Aaron Judge Returns As MLB The Show 26 Cover Star

All rise, gamers and baseball fans alike—Aaron Judge is stepping up to the plate once more, this time as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26. The announcement, made on January 27, 2026, has sent waves of excitement through both the baseball and gaming communities, not least because of the playful misdirection that preceded it. Just a day before, San Diego Studios (SDS), the creators of the long-running video game franchise, hinted there would be no "new cover athlete" for the 2026 edition. That clever bit of wordplay sparked a flurry of speculation—would a legend grace the cover, or was there a last-minute change behind the scenes? Instead, the answer was both simple and historic: Aaron Judge, already a cover star in 2018, would reprise his role, becoming only the second player in the game's history to appear on the cover more than once.

Judge joins Minnesota Twins legend Joe Mauer as the only two-time cover athletes in MLB The Show’s 21-year run. Mauer famously appeared back-to-back in 2010 and 2011. Judge’s return to the cover is more than just a nod to his enduring star power—it's a celebration of a career that has only soared higher since his rookie days. When Judge first graced the cover in 2018, he was fresh off a record-setting 2017 season, where he mashed 52 home runs and claimed the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Fast forward eight years, and Judge's resume reads like a Hall of Fame induction speech: three MVP awards, seven All-Star selections, five Silver Slugger trophies, three home run crowns, and, perhaps most memorably, a 2022 campaign in which he set the American League record with 62 home runs.

But 2025 might have been Judge’s most complete season yet. The Yankees’ captain slugged 53 home runs, led the league with a .331 batting average, and captured his third MVP award. It’s fitting, then, that SDS would honor such a remarkable run by placing Judge front and center for MLB The Show 26. This cover isn’t just about the Yankees, though. For the first time in franchise history, the game’s cover features a player in both his MLB and national team uniforms. Judge appears in his iconic Yankees pinstripes and, in a move that’s sure to thrill fans of international baseball, his Team USA jersey.

The timing couldn’t be better. Judge is set to make his debut in the World Baseball Classic this spring, and he’ll do so as Team USA’s captain. "The cover they have for this year is going to be pretty special," Judge told ESPN. "Kind of has a lot of different ties to different parts of my life. I think fans are going to enjoy it, and I think even gamers that don't watch much baseball [who] play the game will really enjoy it as well." The World Baseball Classic will also return to the game’s popular Diamond Dynasty mode, giving players a chance to build their dream squads with international flair. For many, seeing Judge as "Captain America" on the cover is a dream come true—a symbol of both his stature in the sport and the growing appeal of baseball’s global stage.

It’s a significant moment for the Yankees as well. Judge is the only New York Yankees player to appear on the flagship edition of MLB The Show since the series adopted its current format in 2006. While Derek Jeter was featured on a special collector’s edition in 2023 and Bernie Williams made the cover of a predecessor game (MLB ’98), Judge stands alone as the face of the franchise in the digital era. That’s no small feat, considering the Yankees’ storied history and the galaxy of stars who’ve worn their uniform.

For longtime fans of MLB The Show, this year’s edition marks a return to tradition. After a 2025 cover that featured a trio of rising stars—Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson—MLB The Show 26 goes back to a single athlete format. Judge’s selection also continues a trend of MVPs gracing the cover; he’s the first reigning MVP to do so since Shohei Ohtani in 2022. Others who’ve held that distinction include Josh Donaldson (2016), Miguel Cabrera (2014), Joe Mauer (2010), and Dustin Pedroia (2009).

Fans won’t have to wait long to get a closer look at what’s in store. A gameplay trailer is set to drop on February 3, 2026, promising fresh insight into new features and the much-anticipated World Baseball Classic integration. The full game releases on March 17, 2026, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with early access available for Digital Deluxe Edition buyers starting March 13. Preorders open on February 3 at 11 a.m. ET, both online and at participating retailers.

Judge’s journey from rookie sensation to multi-time MVP and now two-time cover athlete is the stuff of modern baseball legend. His 2017 campaign, which saw him break the then-rookie home run record, set the stage for what’s been a remarkable ascent. Since then, he’s become a fixture in All-Star Games, a leader in the Yankees’ clubhouse, and a beacon for the sport’s next generation. His historic 2022 season, with 62 home runs, cemented his place in the record books. And his 2025 performance—power, average, leadership—proved he’s only getting better.

But if there’s one thing the MLB The Show 26 cover makes clear, it’s that Judge’s impact goes beyond stats. He’s a player whose story resonates with fans on both sides of the digital divide. Whether you’re a die-hard Yankees supporter, a Team USA devotee, or a gamer looking for the next big thing, Judge’s presence on the cover is a rallying cry. It’s about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking forward to a future where baseball’s brightest stars shine on every stage.

So, as the countdown to March 17 begins, there’s plenty for fans to get excited about. MLB The Show 26 promises new features, a fresh approach to international baseball, and, at its heart, the story of a player who’s done it all—and isn’t done yet. For Aaron Judge, for the Yankees, and for the game itself, this is more than just a cover. It’s a statement. And the world will be watching.