All rise — again. Aaron Judge has been officially revealed as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26, marking the second time the Yankees superstar has earned the honor. The announcement came Tuesday, with the game set to launch on March 17, and early access beginning March 13 for players who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Judge becomes just the second player in franchise history to appear on the cover more than once, joining Hall of Famer Joe Mauer, who graced the cover in 2010 and 2011. Judge previously appeared on the cover of MLB The Show 18 following his historic rookie campaign.
A Cover That Tells His Story
Unlike his first appearance, the MLB The Show 26 cover is designed to reflect multiple chapters of Judge’s baseball journey. The artwork features Judge in the New York Yankees’ iconic pinstripes, while also showcasing a Team USA jersey — a nod to his upcoming debut in the World Baseball Classic, where he will serve as team captain.
The design also includes deeply personal elements, highlighting the location of Judge’s California hometown on a map and featuring his Fresno State jersey, symbolizing the path that led him from a high school dreamer to one of baseball’s biggest stars.
Judge admitted the artwork caught him off guard.
“The cover they have for this year is going to be pretty special,” Judge told ESPN. “It has a lot of ties to different parts of my life. I think fans — and even gamers who don’t watch much baseball — are really going to enjoy it.”
From Childhood Dream to Full-Circle Moment
Growing up in California, Judge was a devoted MLB The Show fan, eagerly awaiting the game’s March release every year. During a visit home last Thanksgiving, he stumbled across dozens of unopened copies of MLB The Show 18 at his parents’ house — a moment that hit him harder than expected.
“Little 10-year-old Aaron dreamed of getting into the major leagues,” Judge said. “Now you’re on the cover of the game. It’s surreal. I gotta pinch myself every time I see it.”
That feeling hasn’t worn off. Judge joked that since his first cover appearance, he’s asked his agent every year if he could be featured again — inspired in part by Tiger Woods’ long-running presence on EA Sports’ PGA Tour titles.
A Career Worthy of a Second Cover
Judge’s return to the cover comes after yet another dominant stretch. Since 2018, he has built a Hall of Fame–caliber résumé, including:
- Three AL MVP Awards
- Seven All-Star selections
- Five Silver Sluggers
- Three home run titles
- A historic 62-homer season in 2022, setting the American League record
Most recently, Judge captured his third MVP in 2025, blasting 53 home runs while winning his first batting title with a .331 average.
He’s now the first reigning MVP to appear on the cover since Shohei Ohtani in 2022.
More Than a Game Cover
For Judge, the honor goes beyond personal accolades. Through his ALL RISE Foundation, he’s seen firsthand how being on the cover connects him with younger fans — especially those who may not have the chance to attend MLB games.
“Kids come up to me and say, ‘I saw you — you’re on the cover. I’m playing as you,’” Judge said. “That connection with the next generation is the coolest thing.”
Judge also remains amazed by the realism of the game. After being motion-captured at Sony Studios in 2018, he still can’t believe how accurately his swing and stance translate to the virtual field.
“It’s still spot on,” he said. “I’ve got a better swing in the game than I do in real life.”
What to Expect in MLB The Show 26
MLB The Show 26 will return to a single-cover athlete format after featuring multiple stars in 2025. Notably, the game will also bring back the World Baseball Classic tournament to Diamond Dynasty mode, with more details to be revealed soon.
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, with preorders opening February 3 at 11 a.m. ET.
For Judge, it’s just another moment that still doesn’t feel real.
All rise — Aaron Judge is back on the cover, and this time, it tells the whole story.
