MLB The Show 26: New Retro Championship Series Rewards

The Retro Championship Series Program is now available in MLB The Show 26, giving Diamond Dynasty players a chance to earn four 99 OVR player cards without spending MLB The Show 26 Stubs. The biggest reward is 99 OVR Awards Justin Verlander, a powerful starting pitcher who can strengthen your rotation for the postseason.

The program launched on October 13, 2026, and features a straightforward 50-point reward path. You need to complete ten Moments and four team-based Parallel XP (PXP) missions to unlock Verlander. Along the way, you can also earn 99 OVR Jhonkensy Noel, Zack Britton, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., along with a Deluxe Choice Pack and account XP.

Retro Championship Series Program Rewards

The Retro Championship Series Program focuses on memorable performances from previous MLB Championship Series. Its reward path includes four player cards, a Deluxe Choice Pack, and account XP at different milestones.

Each player reward is available through program progression, so you do not need to purchase these cards from the Community Market. Verlander is the final reward at 50 points, making him the main target for players looking to improve their starting rotation.

The program also provides account XP at its reward milestones. This XP is separate from the program points required to unlock the cards.

How to Unlock 99 Justin Verlander

The entire reward path requires 50 program points. Ten Moments provide 30 points, while four PXP missions contribute the remaining 20 points.

Complete the Retro Championship Series Moments

Each Moment awards three program points. Completing all ten earns 30 points and unlocks the first three player rewards along the way.

The available Moments are:

• Go Crazy, Folks
• Big Christmas Delivers
• Postseason Springer Does It Again
• Britton Is Unhittable for New York
• Ohtani's One-of-a-Kind Performance
• Vladdy Earns ALCS MVP Honors
• Ortiz' Game-Tying Slam
• Eckersley Dominates 1988 ALCS
• Verlander Cruises in 2017
• Red Sox Complete Historic 3-0 Comeback

These challenges recreate memorable postseason performances, with objectives that vary depending on the scenario. Some focus on hitting, while others require you to deliver a strong pitching performance.

To finish them more efficiently, read each objective before starting and focus on the specific requirement. When hitting, avoid swinging at pitches outside the strike zone and look for opportunities to make solid contact. During pitching challenges, work ahead in the count and use your pitcher's strengths rather than relying on the same pitch repeatedly.

Complete every Moment to secure the first 30 points. You cannot skip a Moment and still reach the full 50-point reward through this program's listed tasks.

Complete the Four Team PXP Missions

The remaining 20 points come from four missions, each worth five points. These tasks require you to earn Parallel XP with players from specific teams.

The Yankees mission requires PXP earned with New York Yankees players, while the Dodgers mission requires PXP earned with Los Angeles Dodgers players.

The two Championship Series missions are tied to the 2026 postseason matchups. For the American League requirement, use Cleveland Guardians and/or Tampa Bay Rays players. For the National League requirement, use Los Angeles Dodgers and/or Milwaukee Brewers players.

The key efficiency tip is to use Dodgers players for both Dodgers-related missions. PXP earned with eligible Dodgers players can advance the 260-PXP Dodgers mission and the 2,026-PXP National League Championship Series mission simultaneously.

This overlap makes lineup planning especially useful. Rather than treating every mission as a completely separate grind, focus on players who contribute to multiple active objectives.

The Best Way to Complete the PXP Missions

You can complete the listed missions in several eligible offline modes, including Play vs CPU, Conquest, Mini Seasons, and Diamond Quest. Ranked, Battle Royale, and other supported multiplayer modes are also available options.

For players who prefer a straightforward route, Play vs CPU is a convenient choice because you can build your lineup around the teams required by the missions.

Start with the Yankees mission if you already have a strong group of eligible Yankees cards. Once you reach 410 PXP, switch to a Dodgers-focused lineup and work toward both Dodgers requirements. Finish the remaining American League mission with Guardians and/or Rays players.

You can also adjust the order to match the cards you already own. Check your Diamond Dynasty collection before spending Stubs on additional players, since you may already have everything needed to complete the missions.

When playing, prioritize getting your eligible players involved rather than focusing exclusively on the final score. Consistent hitting, extra-base hits, strikeouts, and other successful on-field actions can help build PXP, depending on the player's performance and the mode.

Keep an eye on the mission progress after each game. Once a requirement is complete, adjust your lineup so that your remaining games contribute to unfinished objectives.

Is 99 Awards Justin Verlander Worth Getting?

The final reward is a 99 OVR Awards Justin Verlander card representing his 2017 season with the Houston Astros. His pitching attributes make him an attractive option for players who need a reliable, high-rated starter.

Verlander's 115 H/9 and 112 K/9 are particularly appealing for a starting pitcher. His stamina also supports longer outings, while his control, velocity, and break provide a balanced foundation for attacking different hitters.

The card comes with four Quirks: Homebody, Day Player, Outlier I, and Break Outlier. Outlier I allows the primary pitch to exceed the normal maximum velocity limit, while Break Outlier helps a pitcher retain more break when tired. Homebody and Day Player provide situational benefits tied to playing at home and during day games.

Using Verlander in Diamond Dynasty

Verlander is worth considering for Ranked Seasons, Events, and other Diamond Dynasty modes where a strong starting rotation matters. His attributes give him the tools to challenge hitters with velocity and breaking pitches while limiting hard contact.

However, a 99 OVR rating does not automatically make a pitcher the best option in every matchup. Pitch sequencing, opponent tendencies, and your ability to locate pitches still matter. Try different approaches against aggressive hitters and pay attention to how effectively you can keep opponents from making solid contact.

The card is also marked No Sell, so you cannot sell this program reward on the Community Market. Its primary value is improving your roster rather than generating Stubs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Justin Verlander free in MLB The Show 26?

Yes. You can unlock the 99 OVR Awards Justin Verlander card by completing the Retro Championship Series Program and reaching 50 points. You do not need to purchase the card from the Community Market.

How many Moments do I need to complete?

You must complete all ten Moments. Each is worth three points, giving you 30 points toward the final reward.

Can Dodgers PXP count toward two missions?

Yes. Eligible Dodgers players can contribute to both the 260-PXP Dodgers mission and the 2,026-PXP NL Championship Series mission. This is one of the easiest ways to make progress on multiple objectives at once.

Can I finish the program offline?

Yes. The listed PXP missions support Play vs CPU, Conquest, Mini Seasons, and Diamond Quest, among other eligible modes. You can complete the program without relying on online matchmaking.

Do I need to complete a Collection or Exchange?

No separate Collection or Exchange is required for the 50-point path. Complete the ten Moments and four PXP missions to unlock the final reward.

How do I claim Justin Verlander?

Open the Retro Championship Series Program in Diamond Dynasty and check your progress. Once you reach 50 points, claim the Verlander reward through the program interface and confirm that the card appears in your collection.

Does the program expire?

Check the in-game program page for any expiration details or updates. Avoid assuming the program will remain available indefinitely unless the game explicitly confirms that it is permanent.

The Retro Championship Series Program offers a straightforward way to add four 99 OVR player cards to your Diamond Dynasty roster, with Awards Justin Verlander waiting at the 50-point milestone.

Complete all ten Moments for 30 points, then finish the four team PXP missions to earn the remaining 20. The most efficient approach is to use eligible offline modes, plan your lineups around the required teams, and take advantage of the overlap between the Dodgers missions.

With no need to purchase Verlander from the Community Market, this program is a worthwhile postseason objective for players who want to strengthen their rotation while keeping their Stubs available for other Diamond Dynasty goals.

The U4GM Team