For the first time since making itsget mlb 25 stubs quickly debut on Xbox in 2021, MLB The Show 25 will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch or during 2025. This marks a significant departure from the franchise’s recent release strategy, which had made each annual installment immediately accessible as part of Microsoft’s subscription service.



Since its arrival on Xbox, MLB The Show builds created a devoted player base with the ease and affordability of Game Pass. For many Xbox users, that meant instant access to the latest installment without paying full price. It was a win-win scenario: players sampled the game instantly, and publishers benefited from increased exposure and possible microtransaction revenue.



However, this year breaks that cycle. MLB The Show 25 is confirmed to launch on March 18, and while it will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, the Xbox version will require a standard purchase. For those who want early access, the Digital Deluxe Edition, available to purchase in advance, provides entry as early as March 14. But even that early-access build sits outside Game Pass entirely.



This decision, while surprising, likely stems from a shift in monetization strategy. Sony and its MLB partners may be aiming for direct purchase revenue rather than relying on Game Pass licensing. Perhaps Game Pass inclusion had served its purpose as a marketing tool to ignite interest and adoption. Now that the Xbox audience is familiar with the franchise, Sony may be seeking a more traditional retail return model.



The move has drawn mixed reactions among fans. Some long-standing players feel let down—or even betrayed—by the removal of the Game Pass option. They had come to rely on the subscription service for affordable yearly access and saw Game Pass as part of the appeal of joining the Xbox ecosystem in the first place.



Others understand the rationale. Publishers need to make decisions that enhance profitability, especially when microtransactions and in-game purchases drive much of the revenue in sports titles. For hardcore players who purchase extras or invest time in Diamond Dynasty, buying the game outright may be a worthwhile investment.



Analysts and fans alike are watching closely. There is still a possibility that MLB The Show 25 could be added to Game Pass later in its cycle—perhaps in 2026—but for 2025 it is definitively excluded from subscription access.



With the Standard Edition expected to cost around seventy dollars, and premium editions like Digital Deluxe and Collector’s Edition priced higher for extra in-game content or physical merchandise, this year’s release is decidedly more pay-up-front than previous years.



In short, MLB The Show 25 is not on Xbox Game Pass in 2025, breaking a four-year tradition. Players who want to play it on Xbox Series X or S will need to buy it. Whether this strategy pays off for Sony or leaves a sour taste for Game Pass users remains to be seen.