MLB The Show 26: Franchise Mode Needs 6 Features
Gamers and baseball lovers everywhere are already buzzing about MLB The Show 26, especially after San Diego Studio (SDS) revealed the first major livestream for the game. This year’s focus is clearly on quality-of-life updates — improvements to free agency, player regression systems, and general franchise depth.
But while we’re still counting down to The Show 26’s release, it’s never too early to start thinking ahead. Specifically, about MLB The Show 26. There are countless features fans would love to see in future versions of the series, but in celebration of next year’s 2026 release, I’ve narrowed it down to six meaningful improvements I’d like to see added to MLB The Show 26’s Franchise Mode.
1. Trade Screen Improvements
Let’s start with one of the most fundamental elements of Franchise Mode — trades.
Currently, The Show allows trades of up to three players for three players between teams. While three-team trades are often requested by fans, they’re relatively rare in real-life baseball, so I don’t think they’re essential. Instead, SDS could focus on two more practical and impactful changes.
First, allow cash considerations and draft picks to be included in trades. With SDS having recently emphasized the draft system, this would be a great opportunity to expand on that progress. Trading draft picks adds a layer of realism and long-term strategy that mirrors how MLB front offices operate today.
If that’s too complex to implement right away, then at least consider expanding trade slots. Moving from three-for-three to four- or five-player trades would make the system feel more flexible and realistic. This small change could also help SDS improve trade logic — an area the studio has been working to fine-tune for years.
A deeper trade interface would add much-needed realism and make rebuilding teams or orchestrating blockbuster moves far more satisfying.
2. Expanded Player Accolades
When SDS introduced the player awards tab to Franchise Mode, it was an underrated but appreciated addition. Being able to open a player card and see MVPs, Cy Youngs, and other awards helped bring immersion and personality to each player’s career.
For MLB The Show 26, I’d love to see SDS expand on this idea. For starters, add a “World Series Champion” accolade. Strangely, we have awards for World Series MVP and Playoff MVP, but not for simply being a champion. That’s a huge omission for a game that prides itself on realism.
In addition, add more stat leader recognitions — things like WAR leader, strikeout leader, and saves leader — not just the home run and batting titles. These don’t need to cover every stat imaginable, but adding a few more key categories would flesh out player legacies nicely.
Finally, Franchise Mode should track major single-game accomplishments like no-hitters or hitting for the cycle. Imagine checking a player card years into your save and seeing that they tossed a no-hitter back in 2028 — those moments build history, and they deserve to be remembered.
3. Better Presentation for Big Games and Celebrations
SDS has always been committed to keeping The Show’s presentation fresh, and it’s one of the franchise’s strengths. But in MLB The Show 26, I’d love to see more fanfare around milestone games and major events.
For example, imagine new presentation packages for Opening Day, the All-Star Game, the League Championship Series, and the World Series. The PA announcer could introduce lineups before the national anthem, with players running out onto the field — something that long-term Franchise players would absolutely appreciate after grinding through 162 games.
How about a ring ceremony cutscene on Opening Day after winning the World Series? It doesn’t have to be fully animated rings — just a short scene of players receiving their boxes would be a fantastic touch of immersion.
SDS could even integrate existing elements into these moments. Rob Manfred already appears in-game, so why not have him hand out the All-Star Game MVP award?
And as a fun bonus, SDS could introduce promotional event games. Before a new season, players could designate certain games as “bobblehead night” or “jersey giveaway night,” increasing dynamic attendance and prompting special commentary lines. These smaller details would make midseason games feel more alive and meaningful.
4. Deeper Franchise Customization Options
When starting a new Franchise, customization is fairly limited — you can toggle budgets, legends, designated hitters, or ghost runners, but that’s about it.
MLB The Show 26 could really benefit from deeper franchise setup options. Let players choose the number of teams in the league (up to 32, or even fewer if you want a small custom league). Allow the editing of divisions or which teams belong in the AL or NL. Add sliders for season length and playoff format — for instance, you could create a short 60-game season or make half the league playoff contenders.
This flexibility would make Franchise Mode endlessly replayable, especially for players who love custom scenarios or “what-if” universes. More options also open the door for community-driven challenges, YouTube series, or historic franchise recreations. Franchise Mode is supposed to be your baseball universe — the more tools SDS gives players to shape that experience, the better.
5. Enhanced Relocation and Team Customization
Speaking of customization, relocation could use a serious overhaul. Currently, when relocating a team, the game doesn’t seem to fully “know” your new city. For example, if you move the Chicago White Sox to Oklahoma City, free agents might still act as if your team is based in Illinois — especially those who value playing “close to home.”
SDS should improve relocation logic so the game recognizes your team’s actual city and region. This could also tie into environmental details like temperature or weather, which would make stadium selection and regional rivalries feel more authentic.
Beyond that, give relocated or custom teams more personality. Add a brief setup screen where players define their city, stadium type, and maybe even fanbase traits.
And on the cosmetic side, it’s long past time for a third uniform slot — a proper place for alternate or City Connect uniforms. SDS’s uniform creation suite is already impressive, and adding this extra slot would be a huge quality-of-life win for Franchise and Diamond Dynasty players alike.
6. A Complete Hall of Fame Overhaul
The Hall of Fame system in The Show has been virtually untouched for over a decade — and it’s long overdue for a revamp.
Right now, when a player retires, there’s a brief “View Retired Players” screen showing who made the Hall. The process seems purely stat-driven, often favoring players who hit arbitrary milestones like 500 home runs or 3,000 hits — even though modern baseball no longer produces those numbers regularly.
MLB The Show 26 should introduce a full Hall of Fame voting or scoring system that takes into account both statistics and accolades. Awards like MVPs and Cy Youngs should matter. So should postseason performances. Imagine seeing a player inducted because they were a five-time All-Star and two-time MVP, even if they “only” had 400 home runs.
There should also be a dedicated Hall of Fame screen, separate from the Team Accomplishments page, where you can view inductees over the years. It could even preload real-life Hall of Famers for historical flavor. This feature wouldn’t just be a cosmetic change — it would help Franchise Mode feel like a living, evolving world where player legacies truly matter.
Final Thoughts
SDS has steadily refined MLB The Show’s Franchise Mode over the years, but there’s still a lot of untapped potential. Adding flexibility to trades, balancing the economic system of MLB The Show 26 Stubs, expanding player accolades, improving presentation, deepening customization, enhancing relocation, and modernizing the Hall of Fame system would elevate Franchise Mode to a whole new level.
MMOexp MLB 26 Team