If you’re here to find out if MLB The Show 26 is delivering a show for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, then you’ve come to the right ball game.
MLB The Show 26 means we’ve had a new MLB The Show game every year since the franchise started in 2006—picking up from where 989 Sports left off. It became tradition over the last few years for a new MLB The Show title to launch on Game Pass, but the 2025 release changed everything.
Can You Play MLB The Show 26 On Xbox Game Pass?
It doesn’t matter which Xbox Game Pass tier you’re subscribed to; MLB The Show 26 is not free to download and play on any of them and isn’t a Day One Game Pass title.
For the second year in a row, Xbox players are striking out on the chance to play the new MLB The Show release as part of a Game Pass subscription. MLB The Show 25 was the first time in years the franchise ducked out of the Day One Game Pass scheme.
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It’s still unclear why this happened, but one thing is for sure: It’s happening again with MLB The Show 26.
If you want to play San Diego Studios’ newest baseball sim, you’ll have to pay full whack for it.
Will MLB The Show 26 Ever Come To Xbox Game Pass?
Evidence tells us that MLB The Show 26 coming to Xbox Game Pass isn’t likely, but we shouldn’t rule it out altogether.
The dissolution of this partnership looks to be continuing, as with MLB The Show 26 coming out, there’s still no sign of the ’25 edition coming to Game Pass. Additionally, none of the previous games in the series are on Xbox Game Pass either.
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Given how different the dynamic is now, you can’t rule out MLB The Show 25 being announced for Game Pass this year, and if this happens, it should mean MLB The Show 26 comes to Game Pass in 2027. Stay tuned for further updates.
Are you a huge baseball fan who won’t let a lack of Xbox Game Pass eligibility stop you from buying MLB The Show 26? Share your thoughts on the game through the Insider Gaming Discord, and we also have other chats where you can talk about all things baseball and sports in general.
Keep our full MLB The Show 26 release date countdown and start times hub with you, so you don’t forget when the game launches.
Andy is Insider Gaming's Senior Evergreen Editor and has been in the games journalism sphere in one way or another for over 7 years. His video game taste is as…
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