MLB The Show 26 Spooky Rewards and 2026 World Series Cards

MLB The Show 26 has brought a packed content update to Diamond Dynasty, combining the Halloween-themed Spooky Series with a new 2026 World Series Program. Players can work through Collections, Conquest, Mini Seasons, Diamond Quest, and limited-time events to earn a large group of 99 OVR cards. For anyone planning to refresh their lineup, the latest MLB 26 Stubs options may also be worth keeping in mind when managing in-game resources.

The Spooky Series is the main attraction, with 13 Spooky Variant cards and several additional rewards spread across different activities. Meanwhile, the World Series content adds another collection path featuring postseason players from the championship series. We'll break down the major rewards, explain how each activity works, and look at which parts of the update deserve attention first.

Spooky Series Introduces 13 Variant Cards

The biggest headline is the arrival of 13 Spooky Series Variant players, all rated 99 OVR. Unlike a standard player reward, these cards are tied to the Spooky Variant Collections. Players need to collect the corresponding base Spooky Series cards and Spooky Variant Vouchers, which can be earned through Exchanges.

The collection includes a broad mix of pitchers and position players:

This collection has something for several parts of a Diamond Dynasty roster. Randy Johnson, Kerry Wood, Clay Buchholz, and J.R. Richard cover the starting rotation, while Andrew Miller adds a relief option. The position-player group includes choices for the infield and outfield, giving players more flexibility when adjusting their lineups.

Our advice is to look at your current roster before chasing every card. A 99 OVR rating is attractive, but a new player is most useful when the position and role address an actual weakness. Players who already have a strong rotation may prefer to focus on an infield or outfield addition instead.

How to Earn Spooky Series Players

The Spooky Program connects several activities into a broader reward path. Players can complete Moments and Missions, then take part in the Spooky Conquest Map, Spooky Diamond Quest, and Spooky Mini Seasons Collections to work toward featured player rewards.

The five players highlighted in the Spooky Program are:

• Jorge Polanco, 2B, MIN (99 OVR)
• Andrew Miller, RP, BOS (99 OVR)
• Sammy Sosa, RF, CHC (99 OVR)
• Mark McGwire, 1B, STL (99 OVR)
• J.R. Richard, SP, HOU (99 OVR)

Each activity offers a different way to make progress, so players do not have to approach the update as one long sequence of identical matches.

Conquest: A Direct Route to Willie Mays

The Spooky Conquest Map uses the familiar territory-control format. Players conquer spaces, steal fans, and complete map goals to earn XP, packs, and the featured reward: Spooky Series Willie Mays, CF, SF (99 OVR).

Conquest is a useful option for players who enjoy working through map objectives while building progress toward a specific card. It also gives the update a change of pace from standard games against CPU opponents.

Mini Seasons and Diamond Quest

The Spooky Mini Seasons Challenge offers three- or nine-inning games across seven- or 28-game seasons against CPU-controlled teams. Rewards include XP, Stubs, packs, and four featured Spooky Series players:

• Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (99 OVR)
• Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL (99 OVR)
• Gary Sheffield, RF, ATL (99 OVR)
• Carlos Santana, 1B, CLE (99 OVR)

Spooky Diamond Quest takes a different approach. Players face themed Moments against Spooky Series players, Showdowns against Spooky Series pitchers, Stadium Challenges, and the Zone Sweeper. Its featured player rewards include Bo Bichette, 3B, NYM (99 OVR), and Kerry Wood, SP, CHC (99 OVR).

For players choosing where to spend their time, the main distinction is the activity format. Mini Seasons provides a sequence of CPU games, while Diamond Quest mixes several challenge types. We recommend starting with the mode you enjoy and checking its featured rewards against the positions your roster needs.

Monster Smash and the Spooky Chase Pack

The Monster Smash Event adds a multiplayer option to the Halloween content. Its lineup rules allow any batters but restrict pitchers to Bronze and Common cards. That restriction changes the usual team-building approach and gives players a reason to adjust their roster before entering the event.

Wins and Event Missions contribute to progress through the Monster Smash Event Program. Rewards include XP, packs, two Event Rewind Choice Packs, and Deluxe and Premier Choice Packs. Players who want a break from collection tasks can use this event to pursue additional rewards through competitive games.

Three Ways to Find the Spooky Chase Pack

The Spooky Chase Pack features Randy Johnson, SP, SEA (99 OVR). The featured pitcher is a 10-time All-Star, nine-time strikeout leader, and five-time Cy Young Award winner, according to the official content announcement.

Players have three listed ways to obtain the pack:

1. Earn one through the 9th Inning XP Reward Path Wheel.
2. Receive one with every purchase of The Show 50-Pack Bundle.
3. Find one by chance inside individual The Show Packs.

Each Spooky Chase Pack guarantees one Diamond player, but Randy Johnson is the featured player rather than a guaranteed pull. That distinction matters when deciding whether to pursue the pack through random drops or a bundle purchase. We would treat the pack as an additional chance at the featured card, not as a guaranteed way to complete a collection.

Each Spooky Chase Pack guarantees one Diamond player, but Randy Johnson is the featured player rather than a guaranteed pull.

2026 World Series Program Adds Postseason Cards

The Halloween content is only part of this update. The 2026 World Series Program gives players another route to expand their Diamond Dynasty roster with Postseason Series cards. The Milwaukee Brewers took home the Commissioner's Trophy, and the program lets players revisit the series through its featured rewards.

The program highlights 10 players, each rated 99 OVR:

The group includes starting and relief pitchers alongside several position players. That gives players different roster roles to consider as they work through the program. Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, and Chandler Simpson provide outfield options, while Robert Gasser and Jacob Misiorowski add starting-pitching choices.

William Contreras and the Postseason Collection

The 2026 Postseason Collection offers another major target: William Contreras, C, MIL (99 OVR), identified as the 2026 World Series MVP reward in the announcement.

To earn him, players need to collect 2026 Postseason Series cards, including players from the latest World Series Program. This makes the collection closely connected to the new program rather than a separate reward that can be completed without gathering postseason cards.

Players interested in Contreras should pay attention to which Postseason Series cards they already own and which ones remain available through the program. Planning around existing collection progress can help avoid spending resources on cards that do not move the collection forward.

Other Diamond Dynasty Updates: Ranked 9 and Multiplayer 9

The update also includes new rewards outside the Spooky and World Series content. Ranked 9 introduces two Red Diamond players at the top of its rankings:

• Byron Buxton, CF, MIN (99 OVR)
• Bryce Harper, 1B, PHI (99 OVR)

The Multiplayer 9 Program adds another five-player group:

• Hank Greenberg, 1B, DET (99 OVR)
• Pete Hill, LF, FA (99 OVR)
• Josh Gibson, C, FA (99 OVR)
• Garrett Crochet, SP, BOS (99 OVR)
• George Brett, 3B, KC (99 OVR)

These rewards are worth checking if you are already working through ranked or multiplayer modes. They are separate from the Spooky Series progression, so players can pursue them according to their preferred game modes rather than treating every new card as part of one collection route.

Plan Your Rewards Around Your Roster

MLB The Show 26 delivers a substantial Diamond Dynasty update through the Spooky Series and 2026 World Series Program. The 13 Spooky Variant cards headline the Halloween content, while Conquest, Mini Seasons, Diamond Quest, and Monster Smash provide several ways to earn additional players and packs. The World Series Program and William Contreras Collection give postseason collectors another set of goals.

We recommend starting with the rewards that fill gaps in your current lineup, then choosing activities based on the cards they offer. If you are managing your resources or considering MLB Stubs, keep your collection targets and actual roster needs in mind rather than chasing every available card at once.

FAQ

How many Spooky Variant cards are available in MLB The Show 26?

There are 13 Spooky Series Variant rewards in the Spooky Variant Collections. All 13 are rated 99 OVR and require the corresponding base Spooky Series cards and Spooky Variant Vouchers.

How do players get Spooky Series Willie Mays?

Players can earn Spooky Series Willie Mays, CF, SF (99 OVR), by completing the Spooky Conquest Map and its objectives.

Is Randy Johnson guaranteed in the Spooky Chase Pack?

No. Every Spooky Chase Pack guarantees one Diamond player, but the featured Spooky Series Randy Johnson is not guaranteed.

How can players unlock William Contreras?

Players need to collect 2026 Postseason Series cards in the 2026 Postseason Collection. The collection reward is William Contreras, C, MIL (99 OVR).

What other 99 OVR rewards arrived with this update?

Ranked 9 adds Byron Buxton and Bryce Harper, while Multiplayer 9 includes Hank Greenberg, Pete Hill, Josh Gibson, Garrett Crochet, and George Brett.