Now & Later packs in MLB The Show 26 work differently from most rewards in the game. You cannot earn them directly in MLB The Show 26. Instead, they come from your progress in MLB The Show 25.
If you did not complete the required content last year, there is no way to unlock these packs now. If you did, the process is simple and mostly automatic.
What Are Now & Later Packs?
Now & Later packs are a carryover reward system. They are earned in one game (MLB The Show 25) and redeemed in the next (MLB The Show 26).
They were designed to reward consistent players who stayed active late in the previous game cycle.
How You Earned Them (In MLB The Show 25)
If you played MLB The Show 25, you may have already earned these packs through a few specific programs.
1. Now & Later Program
This was the main source.
- Complete 10 Moments in the program
- Earn up to 12 Now & Later packs
- Receive a Carlos Beltrán player item as a bonus reward
This was the most direct and reliable method.
2. 11th Inning XP Reward Path
- Packs were included at different XP milestones
- The final pack was unlocked at 325,000 XP
This method required more time, but it rewarded steady play.
3. Scouting Report (Newsletter Reward)
- Subscribe to the official Scouting Report before November 14, 2025
- Receive 5 free Now & Later packs
This was the easiest method, but it required early sign-up.
How to Redeem Them in MLB The Show 26
Once you earned the packs in MLB The Show 25, you still needed to follow a few steps to receive them in MLB The Show 26.
1. Open the Packs in MLB The Show 25
You had to open the packs in MLB The Show 25 first.
- Opening them gives you a voucher
- Unopened packs do not transfer
2. Use the Same Account
Make sure you log into MLB The Show 26 with the same platform account:
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Nintendo Switch
The system links rewards to your account, not your device.
3. Automatic Redemption
If everything is set up correctly:
- Your vouchers are converted automatically
- Rewards appear as standard Show packs in MLB The Show 26
There is no manual claim step.
If you completed these steps and your packs are already claimed, your next focus is building your team through current content and steady stub management. Some players also choose to use a safe place to buy MLB The Show 26 stubs when they want to save time, and platforms like U4N are often considered as an option. The key is to stay within your comfort level and balance spending with in-game progress.
Important Delivery Timing
Standard Release (March 17, 2026)
This is the official delivery date.
- Packs are scheduled to appear at full launch
- Some players may see them earlier, but this is not guaranteed
Early Access Players
If you started early (March 13):
- Packs may not show up immediately
- They are still tied to the March 17 release timing
Waiting until full launch is normal.
Key Things to Remember
- You cannot earn Now & Later packs inside MLB The Show 26
- They must be earned in MLB The Show 25
- Packs must be opened in 25 to generate vouchers
- Rewards transfer automatically if you use the same account
