MLB The Show 25: Release Date, Game Modes, Legends and More

It’s that time once again.

As Spring Training draws near, it brings us closer to the launch of MLB The Show 25. The pre-release hype is officially underway. Bookmark this page to stay plugged into the latest news on MLB The Show 25 as it’s released. This will act as a living post that is constantly refreshed with new information as it’s available.

MLB The Show 25 Release Date, Early Access and Pre-Order Details

MLB The Show 25 releases on March 18, 2025 for Xbox Series X, Playstation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Early Access begins on March 14 for everyone that purchases the Digital Deluxe Edition. This year will be the first year that The Show doesn’t land on Xbox One and Playstation 4, which also means it won’t be available on Game Pass or other subscription services. 2025 is also the 20th anniversary of The Show, so we’ll see what SDS has cooked up to celebrate. You can pre-order the game here. Physical Editions will contain 1 of 3 exclusive Topps Now cards featuring one of the cover athletes (Skenes, De La Cruz, Henderson) and there will be various serial numbered parallels mixed in.

For the first time ever, three players grace the cover: Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz, Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, and Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes.

Digital Deluxe Edition pre-orders will feature a 20th Anniversary Choice Pack and Legend Choice Pack.

Gameplay

The game has evolved.
Forge all-new journeys in Road To The Show, Franchise, and much more, powered by ShowTech™.

The evolution is real. Pre-order at https://t.co/wAEusKNL9J
Available on March 18#MLBTheShow pic.twitter.com/bCghKUTLoM

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) February 4, 2025

Feature Premieres/Deep Dive Schedule

New Legends

• Manny Ramirez
• Roger Clemens
• Cool Papa Bell

Game Modes

Road to the Show

Not only is RTTS returning as usual, we’ve been promised a completely revitalized mode. The inclusion of select NCAA schools and playing at the high school level early in your ballplayer’s career adds next-level immersion. This includes metal bats with authentic audio.

An actual upgrade system with tokens replaces the “play to level up” schtick from prior years. You’ll also unlock Perks this way.

Your ballplayer will also be actively recruited by colleges during the amateur years. Schools will have unique attributes, affecting the experience depending on where you play.

Catchers have to manually block balls in the dirt!

A full breakdown on the Road to the Show Feature Premiere can be found here.

Franchise

It appears we might be getting some long awaited Franchise depth as well. “Front Office Experience” got its own graphic, but we’ll have to wait for details. Does this mean expansion teams and relocation?

Diamond Quest

Something completely new is Diamond Quest. It’s been described as a roguelike mode, which certainly counts as true innovation. More details to follow as the below screenshot provides the context of what we know so far.

Weekend League in Diamond Dynasty!

We’re finally getting a genuine new competitive mode in Diamond Dynasty. We’ll obviously have to wait for details on how it works, but this is a huge addition for the online crowd.

Now & Later (MLB The Show 24)

Don’t forget about the Now & Later packs that have already appeared in MLB The Show 24. By earning these packs in last year’s game, you will get packs in MLB The Show 25 as well. Coinciding with the big news drop, the Now & Later Program launched in MLB The Show 24 which awards the packs as well as a super-juiced Willie Mays for use in MLB The Show 24. The program states that players completing the program will also receive a Diamond Willie Mays in MLB The Show 25, though it almost certainly will be a lower-rated card and not the Retro Finest usable in ’24.