If you are looking to pull up a couch, grab two controllers, and jump into a literal split-screen mode where the TV cuts down the middle in MLB The Show 26, you won't find one. But don't worry—that is actually a good thing. Because baseball's natural viewpoint focuses entirely on the pitcher-batter matchup, the game doesn't need to split your screen to let two people play. Everything fits perfectly on one display.
Whether you want to crush your friend in a classic head-to-head match, team up against the CPU, or jump online together, local and online 2-player multiplayer is fully alive in this year's game. Here is exactly how to set it up and what modes you can play.
How to Set Up Local 2-Player (Same Console)
Getting a second controller connected and recognized can sometimes be a bit clunky depending on your platform. To make sure the game registers both players properly, follow these steps before you launch the game:
Get the hardware ready: Turn on both of your controllers and make sure they are fully synced to your console.
Assign separate profiles: This is the step that usually trips people up. The console needs to know who is using that second controller.
On PlayStation: Log the second controller into a completely separate PSN account or select "Play as a Quick Guest."
On Xbox: Press the Xbox guide button on the second controller, scroll over to "Profile & System", choose "Add or switch", and select a secondary profile or click "Add guest."
Boot up the game: Fire up MLB The Show 26 using your primary controller.
Pick your mode: Head over to the offline modes on the main menu, like Exhibition.
Choose your sides: Once you get to the team selection screen, you will see two controller icons. For a traditional 1v1 game, move Controller 1 to the home team and Controller 2 to the away team. If you want to play on the same team for some couch co-op, just slide both controllers to the same side.
Local Game Modes You Can Play
Once you have your controllers sorted out, you have a few great options for offline local play:
Exhibition (Play Now): This is your bread and butter. It's the absolute fastest way to jump into a game. You can use current, real-life MLB rosters, mess around with custom rosters, or use legendary teams to settle old sports debates.
Home Run Derby: If you don't feel like playing a full nine-inning game and just want to mash baseballs into orbit, this is the mode. You and your friend can go head-to-head in a timed format to see who can launch the most homers before the clock runs out.
Custom Leagues: If you want something that lasts a bit longer than a single game, you can set up a localized league structure. It's a great way to keep track of stats and run a multi-game series against your friend over a weekend.
Taking it Online: 2-Player Co-Op
If your friend isn't on your couch and is playing from their own house instead, you can still team up. MLB The Show 26 features a dedicated online Co-Op mode buried inside Diamond Dynasty.
To find it, just head to Diamond Dynasty, look for Multiplayer Modes, and select Co-Op. From there, you can choose a 2v2 format (or 3v3 if you have a third person) and jump into either casual matches or competitive ranked matchmaking.
The mechanics are incredibly fun: you and your partner actually combine your best Diamond Dynasty cards to build a shared squad. Once the game starts, you will alternate batting appearances at the plate and switch off control during pitching half-innings, forcing you to communicate and play like a real team.
