Aaron Judge Returns As MLB The Show 26 Cover Star

For baseball fans and gamers alike, March 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month. After months of speculation and cryptic hints, San Diego Studio and Sony have officially announced that New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge will once again grace the cover of MLB The Show 26. This marks Judge’s second appearance on the cover, making him only the second player in the franchise’s history to receive this honor twice—joining Hall of Famer Joe Mauer, who appeared on back-to-back covers in 2010 and 2011, according to ESPN.

The announcement, made on January 27, 2026, put to rest a flurry of rumors that had swirled since the game’s initial reveal in November 2025. San Diego Studio had initially teased that there would be “no new cover athlete” this year, leading fans to wonder if the game’s box art might feature something unconventional—a stadium, perhaps, or even a non-athlete figure associated with the sport. But as reported by Dealabs’ Billbill-kun and later confirmed by official channels, it is Aaron Judge who will return to the spotlight (as noted by Insider Gaming and ESPN).

Judge’s return as the cover star is more than just a repeat performance. The 2026 edition’s cover art is a tribute to the many chapters of his baseball journey. It features Judge in his iconic Yankees pinstripes alongside his Team USA World Baseball Classic uniform, a nod to his upcoming debut as captain for Team USA in March. The design also highlights his roots, displaying his high school location on a map of California and his Fresno State jersey. "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."

Judge, now a 3-time American League MVP, 7-time All-Star, 5-time Silver Slugger, and the AL’s single-season home run record holder with 62 homers, is also the 2026 Team USA World Baseball Classic Captain. His journey from high school standout to global baseball icon mirrors the new features San Diego Studio is bringing to MLB The Show 26. The game’s Road to the Show mode will now include expanded high school and college career journeys, allowing players to experience the grind and glory that shaped Judge’s own career. As the developers put it, “It’s all about leaving your mark like never before.”

Judge’s connection to MLB The Show runs deep. Growing up, he eagerly awaited each year’s March release, often pleading with his parents to rush him to the store. Now, he finds himself with unopened copies of MLB The Show 18—his first cover appearance—scattered between his homes in California, New York, and Florida. "Who would've thought when I'm in my hometown, in the house I grew up in, like little 10-year-old Aaron that dreamed of getting into the major leagues and then now you're on the cover of the game. It's just really surreal," Judge reflected to ESPN. "I gotta pinch myself every time I see it."

But for Judge, the honor goes beyond personal nostalgia. He sees his presence on the cover as a way to connect with young fans, many of whom might not have the chance to attend a live game. “Seeing the joy it brings them to get a chance to play this game or even the kids at my camp that know me and they're like, 'Hey, I saw you, you're on the cover; I'm playing with you.' That's what it's all about right there -- just connecting with those kids and this next generation,” Judge said.

For those eager to get their hands on the game, MLB The Show 26 launches officially on March 17, 2026, with early access beginning March 13. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and, for the first time, Nintendo Switch. While there’s still no official word on a PC release, rumors have persisted since October 2025, fueled by a job listing for a Senior PC Graphics Programmer at San Diego Studio. The listing hinted at work on a “AAA PC title,” and while it stopped short of naming MLB The Show directly, it has given hope to long-suffering PC gamers that a port could be on the horizon.

San Diego Studio has promised a slew of new features and updates for this year’s installment. Alongside the enhanced Road to the Show, the Weekend Classic and Diamond Quest modes in Diamond Dynasty are set to receive fresh content. Franchise mode will get a significant update as well, introducing new storylines focusing on African-American legends of the sport and a fourth season dedicated to the Negro Leagues. These additions reflect a broader push to celebrate baseball’s diverse history and bring new depth to the single-player experience.

Fans can look forward to a gameplay trailer reveal on February 3, 2026, which will showcase all the new features and surprises in store. In addition, the HOMAGE x MLB The Show apparel partnership returns with a new line of merchandise, including a Cover Athlete t-shirt featuring Aaron Judge, available in both adult and youth sizes. For those who want to stay ahead of the curve, signing up for the MLB The Show Scouting Report will grant access to exclusive monthly Scouting Report Packs, offering in-game rewards from April through December.

Cross-platform play and account linking remain a priority for the developers. Players will be able to maintain access to their entire inventory of cards across all supported platforms by linking their MLB The Show account—a welcome feature for those who like to play on multiple devices. Meanwhile, a new pre-order loyalty discount is on the way, and the developers are teasing weekly feature reveals and deep dives into the Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions in the weeks ahead.

On the mobile front, Sony San Diego has also announced MLB The Show Mobile, a free-to-play version that brings America’s pastime to handheld devices, expanding the franchise’s reach even further.

For Aaron Judge, the thrill of being featured on the cover never gets old. "Getting to do it twice is special," he said. "I'd love to do it a third time, but I know there's going to be a lot of other guys out there that are going to don that cover with a lot of humility and excellence and it'll be fun. I'm still going to play the game no matter who's on the cover."

With its March release date fast approaching, MLB The Show 26 promises to offer fans the most authentic and personal baseball experience yet—whether they’re stepping into Judge’s shoes or blazing their own trail from high school hopeful to Hall of Famer.