MLB The Show 26: Topps Update Programs Guide

MLB The Show 26 has added three new Topps Update Programs to Diamond Dynasty: Black Gold, Autumn Ascensions, and Heavy Lumber. Each program features four 99 OVR player cards, giving players a chance to earn 12 high-rated cards without buying them from the Community Market.

The best part is that you do not need to complete every mission to unlock the top reward in each program. Each path requires 40 points, and there are five missions worth 10 points each. Complete any four missions to reach the final reward.

MLB The Show 26 Topps Update Programs Overview

The three programs offer different player cards, but they follow a similar reward structure. Each has four 99 OVR player rewards, along with packs and XP along the way.

All three programs are available through Diamond Dynasty. Their missions can be completed in several modes, including Ranked, Battle Royale, Events, Play vs CPU, Mini Seasons, Conquest, and Diamond Quest.

You can work toward these rewards while playing the modes you already enjoy, rather than spending all your time on one specific activity.

How to Get the Free 99 OVR Paul Skenes Card

The Black Gold Program is the one to focus on if you want the 99 OVR Paul Skenes card. It also rewards Kevin McGonigle, Chase Burns, and Samuel Basallo as you progress through the reward path.

The program has five missions, each worth 10 points.

You can use earlier versions of the featured players to complete their missions. You do not need to own the new Topps Update cards before starting.

The reward path includes Kevin McGonigle at 10 points, Chase Burns at 20 points, Samuel Basallo at 30 points, and Paul Skenes at 40 points. You will also earn packs and XP along the way.

Fastest route: Complete the Bobby Witt Jr. mission and any three of the four featured-player missions. This gets you to 40 points without needing to finish every task.

If you already have usable versions of McGonigle, Burns, Basallo, or Skenes, build your lineup around the cards you own and work on their PXP missions together with your normal gameplay.

How to Get the Free 99 OVR Julio Rodríguez Card

The Autumn Ascensions Program is your route to the 99 OVR Julio Rodríguez card. It also features Trey Yesavage, JJ Wetherholt, and Konnor Griffin.

Like Black Gold, this program requires 40 points to reach its final reward. Each mission is worth 10 points.

The reward path unlocks Trey Yesavage at 10 points, JJ Wetherholt at 20 points, Konnor Griffin at 30 points, and Julio Rodríguez at 40 points.

As with Black Gold, you can use existing versions of these players to earn PXP. There is no need to acquire the new reward cards first.

If Julio Rodríguez is the card you want most, prioritize the missions you can finish with your current roster. You can complete the Bobby Witt Jr. mission and three other missions to reach the final reward.

This approach also lets you collect the earlier rewards along the way instead of waiting until the end of the program.

How to Get the Free 99 OVR Tony Gwynn Card

The Heavy Lumber Program offers another set of four 99 OVR cards: Bryce Eldridge, Sal Stewart, Honus Wagner, and Tony Gwynn.

Its mission structure is slightly different from the other two programs. Alongside the individual-player missions, you can earn points through broader team and position requirements.

The reward path gives you Bryce Eldridge at 10 points, Sal Stewart at 20 points, Honus Wagner at 30 points, and Tony Gwynn at 40 points.

The team and position missions make Heavy Lumber more flexible. You can use eligible shortstops or Pirates players for one mission, and right fielders or Padres players for the other. This gives you more options if you do not have the featured players needed for the individual missions.

To unlock Tony Gwynn, complete any four missions for a total of 40 points. You can finish the fifth mission afterward if you want the additional program progress.

The Best Way to Complete All Three Programs Quickly

If you want all 12 free 99 OVR cards, the key is to avoid doing unnecessary work. You do not have to finish all five missions in every program to unlock the final reward.

Use Bobby Witt Jr. for Shared Progress

The Bobby Witt Jr. mission is the most useful shortcut across the three programs. Earn 500 PXP with any Bobby Witt Jr. card, and you will receive 10 points in each of the following:

• Black Gold
• Autumn Ascensions
• Heavy Lumber

That means the same PXP requirement advances all three programs at once. You do not need the new Topps Update Bobby Witt Jr. card, either. Any version of Witt Jr. can be used for the mission.

Keep in mind that the points are applied separately to each program. You receive 10 points in each path, not 30 points that can be assigned to a single program.

Use Players You Already Own

Before building a lineup, check your inventory for eligible versions of the featured players. Older cards can count toward the missions, so you may already have everything you need to get started.

For Black Gold and Autumn Ascensions, use the versions of the named players you already own. For Heavy Lumber, take advantage of the team and position requirements to fill out your lineup with eligible cards.

This is especially helpful if you want to avoid spending MLB The Show 26 Stubs just to complete a mission.

Play Modes That Fit Your Lineup

The missions support several Diamond Dynasty modes, including Play vs CPU, Mini Seasons, Conquest, Ranked, Battle Royale, Events, and Diamond Quest.

If your main goal is to earn PXP efficiently, choose a mode where you can consistently get at-bats and innings with the players you need. Offline modes can be a comfortable option if you prefer working through missions at your own pace.

Try to make progress toward multiple eligible missions during the same games. For Heavy Lumber, for example, you can use players who qualify for the position or team missions while also earning PXP with Bryce Eldridge or Sal Stewart.

Remember the 40-Point Requirement

Each program offers five missions worth 10 points apiece, but only 40 points are required to unlock its final player.

The simplest plan is to complete the shared Bobby Witt Jr. mission and three other missions in each program. If you do not have a suitable Witt card, you can still reach 40 points by completing the four program-specific missions.

Do You Need to Buy Bobby Witt Jr. or Open Packs?

No. The new 99 OVR Bobby Witt Jr. card is available through The Show Packs, but it is not required to complete the three Topps Update Programs.

Any version of Bobby Witt Jr. can complete the shared PXP mission. If you already own an eligible version, use it instead of spending Stubs or opening packs in the hope of getting the new card.

You can also complete each program without Bobby Witt Jr. by finishing the four other missions in that program. This makes all three reward paths accessible even if you do not have a Witt card in your collection.

The programs also provide packs and XP as you progress, so you can earn additional rewards while working toward the featured 99 OVR players.

Which Topps Update Program Should You Complete First?

The best program to start with depends on which player you want for your Diamond Dynasty lineup.

Choose Black Gold if you want Paul Skenes. The program also gives you Kevin McGonigle, Chase Burns, and Samuel Basallo, making it a good option if you want all four cards.

Choose Autumn Ascensions if Julio Rodríguez is your priority. You can also add Trey Yesavage, JJ Wetherholt, and Konnor Griffin to your collection along the way.

Choose Heavy Lumber if you want Tony Gwynn. Its team and position missions give you more lineup flexibility, which can make it a convenient starting point if you already have eligible players.

You do not need to complete the programs in any particular order. Since the Bobby Witt Jr. mission contributes to all three paths, you can make progress across them together and decide which final reward to claim first.

Final Tips for MLB The Show 26 Topps Update Programs

The new Topps Update Programs are a solid opportunity to strengthen your Diamond Dynasty lineup without buying the featured rewards from the Community Market.

Focus on the players you already own, use the shared Bobby Witt Jr. mission if possible, and aim for 40 points in each program rather than completing every task immediately.

With Black Gold, Autumn Ascensions, and Heavy Lumber, you can earn 12 free 99 OVR player cards, including Paul Skenes, Julio Rodríguez, and Tony Gwynn. Plan your missions around your current roster, keep earning PXP through your preferred modes, and you can work toward all three final rewards without unnecessary grinding.

The U4GM Team