MLB The Show 21 Countdown to Release Date and Time

MLB The Show 21 is finally ready to land on Xbox consoles for the first time and return as a PlayStation release, and the countdown to launch time is on.

We've got everything you need to know about exactly what time you can start playing MLB The Show 21, how to download, Xbox Game Pass, and more.

MLB The Show 21 Release Date

The official release date for MLB The Show 21 is April 20, 2021.

This year's launch is a bit later than the usual March time frame from previous installments of MLB The Show, but new platforms and challenges from the global pandemic likely played a role.

However, the good news is that the wait is almost over and players will be able to get into the action in MLB The Show 21 very soon.

How to Play Now with Early Access

If you just can't bear to wait another moment, there's a way for you to start playing before MLB The Show 21 is officially released.

Players who chose to pre order the Jackie Robinson or Digital Deluxe Edition of MLB The Show 21 got four days of Early Access that began at 12am ET on Friday, April 16.

However, it's not too late, and if you purchase these editions now you'll be able to start playing right away without having to wait for launch time.

What time does MLB The Show 21 release?

While Sony San Diego hasn't yet confirmed the release date launch time for MLB The Show 21, the Microsoft Store listing does give an indication it will follow the timing of Early Access.

Early Access landed at 12am ET as that launch day began, and as such it's likely that MLB The Show 21 will officially release at 12am ET on April 20, 2021.

The date shown on the PlayStation Store is also listed as April 19, 2021 if you're connected from Central Time, which lines up with a simultaneous release time of 11pm CT on April 19, 2021.

When will MLB The Show 21 be on Xbox Game Pass?

For players on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, MLB The Show 21 will be available at launch for those with an Xbox Game Pass Subscription.

While exactly what time the title will be made available on Game Pass hasn't been announced, it has been confirmed to land on day one.

This should mean MLB The Show 21 will be downloadable via Game Pass at the regular release time of 12am ET on April 20, 2021.

As of now, the Game Pass listing when in Central Time also shows April 19, 2021, indicating an 11pm CT launch which will be simultaneous with the ET launch.

Download size and how to preload before release

If you pre order the Standard Edition of MLB The Show 21 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, or PS5, you can preload the title right now.

If you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you can open Game Pass on your console now and scroll down until you see the Coming Soon section.

Once there, you can open MLB The Show 21 and preload it to your console now to prepare for launch day.

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)

Make sure to download now if you can in order to play MLB The Show 21 the moment it unlocks.