How to Set Up Local Multiplayer in MLB The Show 26
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 6:11 am
There is nothing quite like the feeling of sitting on the same couch with a friend, grabbing two controllers, and tearing through a few innings of baseball. Whether you are looking to settle a friendly rivalry with a heated 1v1 match or want to team up against the computer for some casual co-op, setting up a local multiplayer game in MLB The Show 26 is straightforward. However, modern console profiles can sometimes make the process a bit confusing if you don't know where to look.
If you want to skip the online lag and jump straight into local action, here is a complete walkthrough on how to get your controllers connected, pick the right mode, and keep your gameplay competitive.
Step 1: Connect and Assign Your Controllers
Before you even launch MLB The Show 26, you need to make sure your console properly recognizes who is playing. Modern systems require every active controller to be tied to a recognized identity, so simply turning a second pad on in the middle of a game often leads to profile assignment confusion.
Power on ahead of time: Turn on all secondary controllers before you actually boot up the game. This ensures the software registers all inputs correctly right from the start screen.
Assign distinct profiles: When you turn on the second controller, log it into a separate PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch account.
Avoid guest accounts: While using a temporary guest profile is tempting for a quick session, it is highly recommended to use an actual secondary console profile instead. Guest accounts are notorious for causing unexpected profile sync issues or sudden disconnections mid-game, which can completely ruin a tense ninth-inning rally.
Step 2: Navigate to Offline Exhibition Mode
Once your controllers are sorted out and assigned to separate profiles, you can open the game and head over to the traditional couch multiplayer environment.
From the main menu, scroll through the navigation tabs over to the Play Now tab.
Select Exhibition. This is your gateway to standard, fully customizable offline local matches where you can control the teams, settings, and stadium.
When the team selection screen loads, you will see individual controller icons representing each active gamepad. Move these icons left or right to pick your sides.
For a 1v1 Versus Match: Place one controller on the Away side (left) and the other on the Home side (right).
For Couch Co-Op: Slide both controller icons over to the exact same side. This groups you together, allowing you to play as teammates against the CPU.
Step 3: Master the Couch Multiplayer Rules
Playing local multiplayer is a slightly different experience than playing solo or online, thanks to a few unique design mechanics built specifically for same-screen gameplay.
Shared Screen View: Keep in mind that MLB The Show 26 does not use a split-screen layout. Instead, both players share the exact same dynamic camera perspective, situated cleanly behind either home plate or the pitcher's mound depending on who is at bat. It keeps the action cinematic and clean, but it means you both see the exact same thing at all times.
Role Alternation in Co-Op: If you choose to team up on the couch against the computer, you won't be micro-managing individual players simultaneously. Instead, the game automatically switches control duties between you and your friend. One inning you might handle the pitching and fielding while your friend waits to bat, and then the roles will alternate as the game progresses. It keeps both players constantly engaged across every phase of the game.
Pro Tip for Competitive Play: Because you are sharing a single screen during a 1v1 versus match, your opponent can easily see exactly which pitch you are selecting and where you are aiming your location marker. To prevent them from stealing your strategy, consider turning off the pitch selector UI entirely in the options menu, or simply mask your controller inputs with your hands during local rivalry games.
If you want to skip the online lag and jump straight into local action, here is a complete walkthrough on how to get your controllers connected, pick the right mode, and keep your gameplay competitive.
Step 1: Connect and Assign Your Controllers
Before you even launch MLB The Show 26, you need to make sure your console properly recognizes who is playing. Modern systems require every active controller to be tied to a recognized identity, so simply turning a second pad on in the middle of a game often leads to profile assignment confusion.
Power on ahead of time: Turn on all secondary controllers before you actually boot up the game. This ensures the software registers all inputs correctly right from the start screen.
Assign distinct profiles: When you turn on the second controller, log it into a separate PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch account.
Avoid guest accounts: While using a temporary guest profile is tempting for a quick session, it is highly recommended to use an actual secondary console profile instead. Guest accounts are notorious for causing unexpected profile sync issues or sudden disconnections mid-game, which can completely ruin a tense ninth-inning rally.
Step 2: Navigate to Offline Exhibition Mode
Once your controllers are sorted out and assigned to separate profiles, you can open the game and head over to the traditional couch multiplayer environment.
From the main menu, scroll through the navigation tabs over to the Play Now tab.
Select Exhibition. This is your gateway to standard, fully customizable offline local matches where you can control the teams, settings, and stadium.
When the team selection screen loads, you will see individual controller icons representing each active gamepad. Move these icons left or right to pick your sides.
For a 1v1 Versus Match: Place one controller on the Away side (left) and the other on the Home side (right).
For Couch Co-Op: Slide both controller icons over to the exact same side. This groups you together, allowing you to play as teammates against the CPU.
Step 3: Master the Couch Multiplayer Rules
Playing local multiplayer is a slightly different experience than playing solo or online, thanks to a few unique design mechanics built specifically for same-screen gameplay.
Shared Screen View: Keep in mind that MLB The Show 26 does not use a split-screen layout. Instead, both players share the exact same dynamic camera perspective, situated cleanly behind either home plate or the pitcher's mound depending on who is at bat. It keeps the action cinematic and clean, but it means you both see the exact same thing at all times.
Role Alternation in Co-Op: If you choose to team up on the couch against the computer, you won't be micro-managing individual players simultaneously. Instead, the game automatically switches control duties between you and your friend. One inning you might handle the pitching and fielding while your friend waits to bat, and then the roles will alternate as the game progresses. It keeps both players constantly engaged across every phase of the game.
Pro Tip for Competitive Play: Because you are sharing a single screen during a 1v1 versus match, your opponent can easily see exactly which pitch you are selecting and where you are aiming your location marker. To prevent them from stealing your strategy, consider turning off the pitch selector UI entirely in the options menu, or simply mask your controller inputs with your hands during local rivalry games.