The 2026 City Connect uniforms have officially made their way into MLB The Show 26, following the real-world release by Nike and MLB on April 9, 2026. This marks the debut of the second generation of these unique uniforms, with eight teams receiving brand-new designs. Some of these designs were even spotted early by the community through in-game loading screen glitches before the official announcement!

How to Unlock the 2026 City Connect Uniforms

Just like in previous years, unlocking these City Connect jerseys is primarily done through Diamond Dynasty. However, there are several ways you can work toward earning these uniforms, including completing specific challenges, using programs, and conquering in-game maps.

Here's a breakdown of how to unlock these jerseys:

1. Conquest Maps

• You can unlock the 2026 City Connect uniforms by completing team-specific Conquest maps. These maps are designed around the City Connect theme for each team. Along with the jersey, you'll also earn XP, Stubs, and packs as rewards.

How to grind through Conquest maps efficiently:

• The "4x Rule" for Difficulty: To speed up the map, you can play games on Rookie difficulty and use the "4x Rule." This means you'll need to have four times the number of fans compared to the defending stronghold (e.g., to take on a stronghold with 8 fans, you need at least 32 fans).
• Skip "Steal Fans": If there's no specific goal attached, avoid wasting time with the "Steal Fans" phase. Focus on strongholds instead.
• Simulate Unnecessary Games: You can simulate all territories except the ones involving strongholds to save time.
• Capture Empty Space First: Like the game Risk, try to capture unclaimed territories early to speed up your fan count for reinforcements.
• Contrast Colors: If you're struggling to find unclaimed territories, change your team's primary color to something bright (like neon green) to help them stand out on the map.

2. Program & Collection Strategy

• Team Affinity Programs: For each team, check the Team Affinity programs in Diamond Dynasty. These programs often include "Unlockables" packs that contain City Connect gear. Completing these paths can help you unlock the jerseys without too much grind.
• Hidden Rewards: Some Conquest maps contain hidden rewards like Show Packs and Stubs when you capture specific territories, not just strongholds. These can be useful as they provide additional items for free.
• XP Paths and Programs: If you're a No Money Spent (NMS) player, focus on the Now & Later Program and XP Paths to earn vouchers and packs. These paths will allow you to collect the jerseys without needing to spend any stubs.

3. Usage & Accessibility

• Inventory Tip: Once unlocked, the 2026 City Connect jerseys can be used across all modes in MLB The Show 26, including Franchise and Road to the Show. So, you can show off your new uniforms not just in Diamond Dynasty, but in any other mode where customization is allowed.
• Jersey Refresh: The 2026 City Connect designs replace the older 1.0 versions of the uniforms from previous seasons. So, if you had the older jerseys, you'll now get the newer versions, like the Braves' powder blue throwback or the Padres' sunset ombre theme.

The 2026 City Connect 2.0 Lineup

Here are the eight teams that received brand-new City Connect designs for 2026, each with a unique theme that reflects the team's history, community, or culture:

Tips for Unlocking the Uniforms Faster

1. Focus on the "4x Rule" to speed up Conquest maps, allowing you to complete strongholds faster.
2. Use the simulation feature to avoid unnecessary gameplay and finish the maps quicker.
3. Complete Team Affinity programs for easy access to City Connect gear through reward paths.
4. Leverage hidden rewards in Conquest maps for extra packs and Stubs without extra effort.
5. No Money Spent players should focus on XP paths and the Now & Later program to earn jerseys for free.