The MLB The Show 26 XP Reward Path for the 1st Inning Program features a variety of rewards, including packs, Stubs, and featured player items. Players progress by earning XP through any game mode in Diamond Dynasty.
1st Inning XP Path Rewards
Notable rewards early in the path include:
XP Required
Reward
47,500
World Baseball Classic (WBC) Gold Pack
55,000
88 OVR WBC Gleyber Torres
62,500
MLB The Show 26 Pack
70,000
Ballin' is a Habit Pack
Path Progress
89 OVR Kyle Schwarber (WBC)
Top Reward
90 OVR Yoshinobu Yamamoto (WBC)
Boss Pack
90 OVR Choice of Munetaka Murakami or Ronald Acuña Jr.
Key Progression Details
Ways to Earn XP: You can earn XP by playing in any mode, but it is highly recommended to prioritize Moments, Cornerstone programs, and the World Baseball Classic pools to earn program points quickly.
Bug Notice: Some players have reported that the XP path may appear missing or bugged in the quick menu. To fix this, users suggest exiting Diamond Dynasty and re-entering, or navigating directly to the Programs menu to view your progress.
Now & Later Rewards: If you completed the Now & Later program in MLB The Show 25, your earned vouchers will automatically provide up to 12 additional packs and a Carlos Beltrán player item in MLB The Show 26.
New Threads Program: A separate "New Threads" program also offers a reward path featuring players on new teams for the 2026 season, such as Pete Alonso, Dylan Cease, and Devin Williams.
While grinding through the XP Path is the best way to earn those top-tier WBC cards, it can take quite a bit of time to reach the Boss Pack. If you're looking to upgrade your roster or flip cards on the marketplace a bit faster, you can find cheap MLB 26 stubs for sale at SHANNENG. It’s a straightforward option for players who want to skip some of the early-season grind and get straight to building their dream squad.
How to Progress Quickly
To maximize XP gains, players should "stack" programs to complete multiple missions simultaneously.
Prioritize WBC Content: Completing WBC Moments and the WBC Showdown provides significant early-game XP and cards that can be used for further mission progress.
Feeder Programs: Finishing Team Affinity, Ranked 1, and Multiplayer 1 programs provides XP boosts that feed directly into the 1st Inning Path.
Offline Efficiency: For offline players, Mini Seasons (especially the short 7-game versions) and Conquest maps are recommended for steady XP farming.
Gameplay Missions: Specific missions, such as tallying 10 hits in Diamond Quest (+3,500 XP) or 5 home runs in Events (+5,000 XP), offer large flat bonuses.
Important Notes & Troubleshooting
Visual Bug: Some users report that the XP path may disappear from the quick menu. Navigating directly to the Programs menu or exiting and re-entering Diamond Dynasty typically fixes the display.
WBC Vouchers: Collecting all three bosses (earning two and purchasing the third with Stubs) can provide a 30,000 XP voucher for the 2nd Inning Program.
Now & Later Rewards: Players who completed the "Now & Later" program in MLB The Show 25 will receive up to 12 packs and a Carlos Beltrán item automatically.
