Welcome to the 2026 Major League Baseball Season! And welcome to our 2026 Rawlings MLB Live Tracker. The latest updates are dated and listed in reverse chronological order. All original post content from our MLB Opening Day post (March 24) will appear below recent updates.
UPDATE TUESDAY MAY 5TH
Randy Johnson's #51 has been re-retired in Seattle. The official game ball, featuring another fantastic Mariners logo, is below. We also added it to our baseball database (way at the bottom of the MLB Player Milestones gallery).
UPDATE TUESDAY APRIL 21ST
One of the coolest official MLB on-field game ball's ever used——and certainly the creepiest——has been unveiled! See the Padres update below.
Creepy-Cool City Connects in San Diego!
The San Diego Padres revealed a new City Connect uniform for the 2026 season, and now they’re using these amazing new CC game balls!
Check it out. It’s the jersey sleeve patch ‘La Catrina’ skeleton logo for Dia de los Muertos. Reimagined on the surface of The Official Rawlings MLB Game Ball! Fantastic.
I can hardly believe my eyes: That’s a Robert D. Manfred Jr. facsimile signature-stamped official on-field regulation ROMLB game ball! It’s game-used and MLB-authenticated… click and look —>>>>
The official Padres CC 2.0 jersey unveil was April 9th. The Padres City Connect games are every Friday and they intend to use these 2026 Rawlings San Diego Padres Baseball City Connect baseballs in all of those games.
The San Diego Padres will also be using Military Appreciation Game baseballs again this season. We forgot to include this in the original post since it’s the same as the 2025 ball. Shame on us. Apologies. Here’s the schedule we found online (so it’s not guaranteed): Sunday, April 12 vs. Rockies. Monday, May 25 vs. Phillies (Memorial Day). Sunday, July 12 vs. Blue Jays. Sunday, August 23 vs. Twins. Sunday, September 20 vs. Marlins.
UPDATE SUNDAY APRIL 19TH
We received artwork for the 2026 Mexico City Series official Rawlings baseballs (ROMLBMS26). Our mockup image is below. No comment. If you want to see what the real version will look like, here's the 2024 edition. Perhaps the font changed slightly.
April 19: here’s the official artwork for the 2026 Mexico City Series baseball.
Original Content from the Pre-Opening Day Post Begins Here
Welcome to the 2026 Major League Baseball Season! And welcome to our 2026 Rawlings MLB Live Tracker. Opening Night is tomorrow! Everything you need to know about 2026 MLB Special Event Commemorative Logo Game Baseballs will be posted here. MLB league-wide celebrations and holidays, team and stadium anniversaries and events, and players’ milestones, jersey number retirements, and more. We’ll track every ROMLB official gamer intended for gameplay / on-field use, and retail-only or promotional ROMLB-grade balls.
Confirmed 2026 Rawlings MLB Baseballs:
A Pair of New Angels Commemorative Baseballs
<<<— The Los Angeles Angels 2026 City Connect baseballs. To be used in 12 City Connect games. It’s a new spin on last year’s 2025 Angels City Connect Commemorative balls. The first Angels CC Game is April 21st.
Next, a 2026 LA Angels Throwback — >>> – Alternate Jersey will be used for one week this season. The retro themed games will feature these commemorative logo baseballs for 6 games, July 17–22 against the Tigers and Cardinals.
50 & 51: Another Super Season Awaits in Seattle
<<<— The Seattle Mariners 50th Season patch, to be worn on uniforms. Featuring the Mariners’ 1977 typeface and the ring of 116 lines which represents the 2001 AL-record ‘Sweet 116’ wins.
And the Mariners 50 Seasons Logo–>> for comparison. Read more: ’50 Seasons Celebration Night’ Saturday, Aug. 8 to reveal & honor the Top 50 Greatest Mariners Players: Source.
<<<— A Seattle Mariners 50 Seasons Official Retail-Version Big Logo Baseball! This is most likely a limited retail-only version. But it’s an ROMLB-grade leather beauty. That logo translated so well in single color! (Image updated April 3rd)
The Seattle Mariners Rawlings MLB-–>> 50 Seasons Official Game Ball! A smaller logo edition. The Mariners will use these in most home games all season long. Season-long commemoratives are back, baby! Credit to the Mariners on the original image.
Randy Johnson Number 51 Retirement Ceremony: “On May 2, 2026, we’ll retire Randy Johnson’s No. 51 in a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park, forever cementing the Big Unit among our franchise greats.” –Seattle Mariners. No logo yet.
UPDATE: We now have an image! And we’ve scored multiple examples. More pics to come. These baseballs were used May 1st and 2nd. We have obtained a few mint, unused RJ51 baseballs, including the one pictured here. And we were lucky to track down one team-authenticated, game ready mud-rubbed (image to be added). Thanks to the kind folks who contributed the new mint examples to the site! And thank you to those who helped us “snag” a game-prepped ball from the Seattle Mariners Team Store!
(From our original post, March 24th) The Mariners never miss on logos; high hopes for this one. How will it compare to this phenomenal Arizona Diamondbacks #51 Retirement Game Ball?
Furthermore, the Mariners rarely miss an opportunity to commemorate a major franchise anniversary or memorialize a player milestone. Rarely I say… Seattle’s other legendary #51, Ichiro, has a Statue Unveiling Celebration game this season. Unfortunately that will NOT get a commemorative game ball. Too bad, a 5th Ichiro commemorative would have tied him with Jackie Robinson for the most all-time commemorative game balls for a single player!
Toronto Blue Jays 50th Festivities & City Connect
<<<— The Toronto Blue Jays 50th Season logo, likely the basis for the team’s commemorative baseballs, which will be used all season long (except City Connect games) in 2026.
Repeat Rawlings City Connect: The Toronto Blue Jays confirmed they’ll keep using this 2024 ‘Night Mode’ maple leaf logo CC ball. There are 10 City Connect Fridays in Toronto this season; the first is April 10th.
Update (March 29): The Rawlings Toronto Blue Jays 50th Season Official Baseball. They’re here! And they’re marvelous! This design is an instant classic. You cannot go wrong with the OG Blue Jay and maple leaf logo. And the simple, stylish “50” with a baseball subtlety set in the background? Smooth! This is my favorite commemorative this season, though it’s early. And more great news: these will be used all season at the Rogers Centre. We’ll get clearer shot of these eventually, but for now they’re only available game-used. (Photo Credit: Reader contributed.)
150 Seasons of Chicago Cubs Baseball; 150th Anniversary in the National League…
NOTE: Commemorative baseballs will be available in Chicago. We just don’t know specifics, yet. I’m anticipating one of these sweet logos… UPDATE MARCH 27th: And we have our answer! That didn’t take long. The Cubs used that baseball on Opening Day, March 26th 2026.
The Chicago Cubs are celebrating their 150th Year in Major League Baseball. They will be wearing that patch on their jerseys all season. What about Cubs 150 baseballs? If this monumental milestone doesn’t deserve to be memorialized with official game balls — adorned with that slick logo — nothing does! Could a special event game ball be used in home games all season long? Let’s see. Hopefully at least a series or two. Credit goes to SportsLogos.net for posting the design. (Likelihood: Unknown)
On August 29 at Wrigley Field, the Cubs will host a celebration for their 150th Anniversary as a National League franchise. This commemorates the club’s standing as a charter member of the NL (1876–2026). Again: if this monumental milestone doesn’t deserve to be commemorated with official game balls showcasing that amazing logo, nothing does! No word on these yet from dependable sources. Time to call the Cubbies hotline again… (Likelihood: Confirmed! Read below for details.)
We’ve got our first look at the Cubs 150th Anniversary game ball. It’s a new spin on that National League 1876–2026 Cubs 150 logo just above. The only difference appears to be the inverted outer ring with its blue text. Elegant! Pin stripes! And we’ve heard it’s not just an Opening Day game ball; it’s been rumored they’ll be used all season. Thank you to Corey McEnerney for contributing the original image (we’ve slightly retouched), and congrats on the snag at Wrigley Field yesterday!
MLB League-Wide Tributes & Showcase Events
The MLB World Tour: Mexico City Series 2026 will have a special game ball. That’s 2 games between the Arizona Diamondbacks & San Diego Padres, April 25–26. Rawlings and MLB have not missed an MLB World Tour commemorative opportunity yet!
UPDATE: This ball is pictured above the fold, in the April 19th update.
MLB Lou Gehrig Day June 2, 2026: 4-ALS. “The focus of Lou Gehrig Day is to remember the legacy of Gehrig and all those lost to the disease that bears his name; raise awareness and funds for research of ALS; and celebrate the groups and individuals who have led the pursuit for cures.” Read more about MLB LGD initiatives here.
I just know commemorative baseballs are coming. We’ll find out if they’re for game-use or only for charitable purposes. The ALS Association ~ 2021 LG4 Day Launch
We are also aware of an Independence Day Weekend, league-wide official game ball! Which means, July 4th games should be a little more patriotic this season. It’s America’s 250th Anniversary after all. I have no idea what logo will be used, so that nifty mark on the left is just for eye candy. And let’s not get our hopes up for multicolored stitching or stamping. Developing: We’re unsure if these will be used in games, used only for Ceremonial First Pitch, or retail-only.
It’s a Big Season in Philly: City Connect, WOF & Midsummer Mainstays
Repeat Rawlings City Connect: The Philadelphia Phillies and Rawlings have confirmed the continued use of the team’s City Connect official game balls. There are nine dates listed; the first is April 10th.
Repeat Rawlings Wall of Fame Game baseballs. The Phillies have confirmed the continued use of the team’s Wall of Fame Game official game balls. They haven’t missed on these since, what, the inaugural WOF celebration and game in 2018? The only question is, logo size.
Repeat Rawlings All-Star Declaration Day Game repurposed as your 2026 MLB All-Star Game BP and Practice event ball. The Phillies used these for one regular season game in 2025; they were tied to 2026 ASG event announcements and the logo unveiling. Very cool! Of course we’d prefer something a little different this year for ASG practice, but glad the extra specially stamped All-Star practice baseballs are happening every season.
The Rawlings 2026 MLB All-Star Game Baseball! The customary All-Star Game festivities will also include a new look Home Run Derby baseball, and HRD MoneyBall / Bonus Ball, plus the All-Star Futures Game ball. I don’t expect to see those images until June, earliest.
More MLB City Connect Balls Back in Play
Repeat Rawlings City Connect: The Miami Marlins. The Marlins will reportedly wear their “Retrowave” City Connect uniforms every Saturday home game at loanDepot park, and they’re supposed to be using these baseballs in those games.
Repeat Rawlings City Connect: The Tampa Bay Rays. For every Saturday home game at Tropicana Field throughout the 2026 season, the Tampa Bay Rays will wear their “Grit x Glow” City Connect uniforms and use these baseballs. There is one exception. On Saturday, July 11 vs. Seattle Mariners they’ll be wearing traditional home whites. Why? That’s Longo’s Legacy Weekend. Evan Longoria Rays Hall of Fame Induction July 11, and #3 jersey retirement July 12. Hmm… Baseballs?
Repeat Rawlings City Connect: The Houston Astros. The Stros will wear their “Space City 2.0” uniforms for every Monday home game at Daikin Park in 2026. And they should be using these balls.
Purely Speculating: More MLB Showcase Events
There are no substantial rumors that the following events will feature an official game ball of any kind. Do not bank on anything being used if you attend. We’ll leave them here as just-in-case references, and as continued motivation for future baseballs at these types of events. But you never know, as we say, things tend to materialize and appear unexpectedly (like last year’s MLB Speedway Classic promo ROMLBs)
The MLB at Field of Dreams 2026 is a true unknown. The game celebrates the classic 1989 film, Field of Dreams, at its original filming location in in Dyersville, Iowa. This would be a first. Rawlings and MLB have missed the opportunity to make a FOD Game ball twice: 2021 White Sox & Yankees, 2022 Cubs & Reds. (Likelihood: Not a clue. At least a retail ball, please?)
MLB Little League Classic Baseballs haven’t happened since 2017, so I hate to even tease the logo here. But it’s the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. The grand Semiquincentennial of our nation’s independence! So let’s not rule anything out just yet. (Likelihood: low)
Final notes ahead of the 2026 season: Special event MLB baseball news has been incredibly scarce all spring. Very odd on the cusp of opening night. Normally, we’d have a handful of official artwork/image files to mockup. Not this season… But have no fear sports fans! Images are coming soon(ish). And there are plenty of potential commemorative baseball opportunities we’re not including here…
We’ve just scratched the surface. You know these things can appear out of nowhere. Months ago we chronicled every potential opportunity for a specially stamped logo on an ROMLB ball in our 2026 wishlist. Let’s leave that fun little mess behind and only focus on confirmed/nearly certain game balls here.
Stay tuned for frequent updates. This post will remain ‘stickied’ to the top of our site. Got a tip? Email us (info(at)OfficialGameBalls.com) or DM us on Instagram.
2026 MLB Rawlings Official Game Balls for On-Field / Game Use
- 2026 New City Connect Games Baseballs: Los Angeles Angels (Confirmed)
- 2026 New City Connect Games Baseballs: San Diego Padres (Confirmed. Unveiled: April 9th)
- 2026 Repeat CC balls: Philadelphia Phillies (Confirmed)
- 2026 Repeat CC balls: Toronto Blue Jays (Confirmed)
- 2026 Repeat CC balls: Miami Marlins (Confirmed)
- 2026 Repeat CC balls: Tampa Bay Rays (Confirmed)
- 2026 Repeat CC balls: Houston Astros (Confirmed)
- 2026 Rawlings Seattle Mariners 50th Anniversary Season (Confirmed, most home games)
- 2026 Rawlings Toronto Blue Jays 50th Anniversary Season (Confirmed, most home games)
- 2026 Rawlings Chicago Cubs 150th Year in Major League Baseball (Confirmed, most home games)
- 2026 Rawlings MLB World Tour: Mexico City Series Diamondbacks & Padres April 25–26 (Confirmed)
- 2026 Seattle Mariners Randy Johnson #51 Number Retirement May 2 (Confirmed. NO RETAIL! Gamers only.)
- 2026 Rawlings MLB Lou Gehrig Day June 2 4ALS Awareness (Confirmed. Game use Unknown. 2021–2025 LGD Baseballs)
- 2026 Rawlings MLB July 4th USA 250th Independence Day Weekend (
ConfirmedGame use unknown!) - UNCONFIRMED: 2026 Tampa Bay Rays Evan Longoria Jersey Number Retirement & Rays HOF July 10–12 (50/50 Chance)
- 2026 Rawlings MLB All-Star Futures Game Philadelphia July 11
- UNCONFIRMED 2026 Rawlings MLBx All-Star 3-on-3 Tournament, Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia July 12
- 2026 Rawlings MLB All-Star Home Run Derby White Standard Game Ball New Logo! Philadelphia July 13
- 2026 Rawlings MLB All-Star Home Run Derby Magenta Bonus Ball New Logo! Philadelphia July 13
- 2026 Rawlings MLB All-Star Game BP/Practice Red Laced (Same as 2025 Ball?)
- 2026 Rawlings MLB All-Star Game Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia July 14 (Beautiful!)
- 2026 Rawlings Los Angeles Angels Throwback Week Alternate Jersey Logo Baseballs July 17–22 (Confirmed)
- 2026 Rawlings Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame Game (Chase Utley Induction) Friday, August 7 (Confirmed)
- 2026 San Francisco Giants Jeff Kent Number Retirement Game Aug. 29 (Highly Likely)
- 2026 Rawlings Major League Baseball MLB World Series
ON THE RADAR: Additional 2026 Events with Special Game Ball Potential
Atlanta Braves 60th Anniversary Season in Atlanta — Opening Day Celebration March 27Seattle Mariners Ichiro Suzuki Statue Dedication Game April 10Los Angeles Angels Angels Stadium 60th Anniversary April 19th- New York Mets team Hall of Fame Induction: Lee Mazzilli & Bobby Valentine May 30
- MLB 3rd East-West Classic at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama June 19 (A tribute to Negro Leagues All-Star Games)
- Tampa Bay Rays Evan Longoria Jersey Number Retirement & Rays Team HOF Induction July 10–12
- Promo Opportunity: 2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express during MLB All-Star Week 2026 in Philadelphia July 11–12
- MLBx All-Star 3-on-3 Tournament at All-Star Sunday at Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia July 12
- Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre Joe Carter / 1992–1993 Back-to-Back Champs Statue Unveiling July 18
- New York Mets 1986 World Series 40th Anniversary Reunion & Celebration Aug. 1
- Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillen “13 Forever” Jersey Number 13 Retirement Ceremony, Aug. 8
- Las Vegas Athletics – Oakland A’s 125th Anniversary Celebration Game, Sutter Health Park, Sacramento Aug. 12
- 2026 MLB Little League Classic Braves & Brewers Aug. 23
- Colorado Rockies Hall of Famer Larry Walker Coors Field Statue Unveiling Aug. 23
- 2026 MLB Roberto Clemente Day Sept. 15
- New York Mets Carlos Beltrán #15 Jersey Number Retirement Ceremony Sept. 19
- Colorado Rockies Todd Helton Coors Field Statue Unveiling Sept. 19
- New York Yankees CC Sabathia Number #52 Retirement & Monument Park Induction Sept. 26
- New York Yankees legendary broadcaster John Sterling Memorial: Includes a season-long memorial patch microphone and NY logo.
Old News (Replaced with updates in the main content above)
The San Diego Padres City Connect 2.0: The official unveil is April 9th. We’ve seen leaked jerseys, and if the game ball logo matches the new jersey font, the baseballs will be pretty similar to last year’s SD CC game ball, pictured on the left. The Padres City Connect games are every Friday, beginning March 27 vs. the Detroit Tigers.
DEFINITELY NOT HAPPENING:
MLB Opening Day Baseballs haven’t happened since 2020, so I hate to even tease the logo here. But the Padres went full renegade last season and turned 2025 MLB Opening Day Balls into a San Diego only affair. Plus it’s the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. So, let’s not rule anything out just yet 100% Ruled out! (Likelihood: no way)
Excellent work!!!!!
Thank you, Raúl! Happy 2026 Opening Day.
Do you know if the Cubs are reusing their Blue Alts Commemorative this year? Thanks!
I have not heard. It wasn’t listed on the order sheet so I wouldn’t count on it. I’ll see if I can find out though.
Confirmed the Cubs are not using their blue alt commemorative as the two I got on 4/17 were 150th, which also confirms they are indeed being used season-long
Thanks for sharing and letting us know. Glad you got some 150th game balls!