If you’re jumping into MLB The Show 26, you’ll want to know who’s on the cover and what each edition offers. Here’s the full breakdown.

Aaron Judge Returns

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26. This marks his second time on the cover, following his first appearance on MLB The Show 18. He joins Hall of Famer Joe Mauer as only the second player in the series’ history to be featured twice. Judge’s selection makes sense: he’s one of the biggest stars in baseball right now and a fan favorite.

Editions and Cover Versions

Unlike last year, which featured a trio of athletes, MLB The Show 26 returns to a single-athlete cover format. Here’s what you get in each version:

Standard Edition

Cover Athlete: Aaron Judge in his iconic New York Yankees pinstripes.

Launch Date: March 17, 2026

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch

Bonus Content: Standard packs and stubs

Digital Deluxe Edition

Cover Athlete: Aaron Judge in his Team USA World Baseball Classic (WBC) uniform.

Launch Date: March 17, 2026 (Early Access starts March 13)

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch

Bonus Content: Extra packs, stubs, and dual entitlement (play on multiple consoles)

The Digital Deluxe Edition celebrates Judge as the 2026 Team USA WBC Captain, making it a great choice for fans who follow international baseball.

Recent Cover Stars

Aaron Judge continues a trend of featuring MVPs and young stars on the cover:

MLB The Show 25: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, Gunnar Henderson

MLB The Show 24: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

MLB The Show 23: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Standard), Derek Jeter (Collector’s Edition)

MLB The Show 22: Shohei Ohtani

Judge’s repeat appearance is rare, showing just how much of a league-defining star he is.