MLB The Show 21 Early Access is now available!
The countdown has been going, but it's finally time for players to hit the field and get off the bench in MLB The Show 21.
Here's everything you need to know about MLB The Show 21 Early Access, how to preload, the game's download size, and more.
Latest - Early Access is live now!
The wait is over! MLB The Show 21 has officially started Early Access, and it's not too late to start playing!
Even if you didn't pre order MLB The Show 21 already, you can purchase any non-standard edition now and get started with Early Access right away.
Make sure to check out our guide to the Diamond Choice Pack Legends so you know who to choose once you've got Diamond Dynasty going.
What do you do if MLB The Show 21 Early Access is not working?
MLB The Show 21 Early Access should be unlocked and playable now, but there is something you can do if it isn't.
Follow the links below from the official MLB The Show Tips account to get support, report a bug, and more.
MLB The Show 21 Early Access Release Date
MLB The Show 21 Early Access is set for a release date of April 16, 2021.
While the main release date for the title is April 20, 2021, players who get Early Access will be able to start a full four days earlier than everyone else.
That includes subscribers to Xbox Game Pass, who will get the game at launch, but on April 20 and not on April 16.
What time does Early Access unlock?
MLB The Show 21 Early Access is set to unlock on April 16, 2021, but most fans are wondering exactly what time they'll be able to start playing.
MLB The Show 21 Early Access is scheduled to unlock at Midnight ET on April 16, 2021.
Here's the Early Access release date and time across different timezones:
- Eastern Time: 12am (Midnight) on Friday, April 16, 2021
- Central Time: 11pm on Thursday, April 15, 2021
- Pacific Time: 9pm on Thursday, April 15, 2021
Can you play the game earlier by setting your console time to New Zealand?
The anticipation has reached such a fever pitch for MLB The Show 21 that many fans speculating about changing time zones or joking about actually traveling to New Zealand to play early.
Unfortunately, MLB The Show 21 is scheduled for a simultaneous global launch, and you wouldn't be able to play early even if you successfully convinced your console you were there.
There are also some players stating changing the console time has actually damaged consoles and caused issues, so it's not something we suggest trying.
How to get Early Access with special editions of MLB The Show 21
If you haven't placed your pre order for MLB The Show 21, there's still time to get in on Early Access.
Only players who pre order a non-standard edition of MLB The Show 21 will get Early Access.
That means you'll need to get the Digital Deluxe Edition, Jackie Robinson Edition, or Jackie Robinson Deluxe Edition of MLB The Show 21 on your preferred platform to start playing early.
You can find more details on how to pre order MLB The Show 21 here.
Download size and how to preload before Early Access
MLB The Show 21 is set to land on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and PS5 with slightly different download sizes and preload times for each.
If you chose to pre order a version that has Early Access, you should be able to preload MLB The Show 21 on your console now.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers can preload the Standard Edition now, but PlayStation players who got the Standard Edition won't be able to download the game until April 18.
The currently known download size for MLB The Show 21 on each console is as follows:
Xbox Series X|S: 72.42gb (Unknown Day One Update Size)
Xbox One: 45gb (Unknown Day One Update Size)
PS4: 53.4gb (Additional 8.1gb Day One Update)
PS5: 59gb (Additional 55.7gb Day One Update)
The missing download size details will be added as soon as they're known.