The Retro World Series Program is one of the more satisfying Diamond Dynasty programs to grind in MLB The Show 26. The headline reward is a 99 OVR David Ortiz, but the full path gives you four legendary player cards, a Deluxe Choice Pack, and over 6,000 XP. Here's everything you need to know to finish it efficiently.
What is the Retro World Series Program?
The Retro World Series Program is a themed Diamond Dynasty program built around iconic MLB World Series performances. It contains 14 tasks spread across three categories and 10 total rewards on the path. The XP requirement to reach the final reward is 50 points, with player cards unlocking at the 10, 20, 30, and 50-point milestones.
The program also awards account XP at every milestone, totaling 6,026 XP across the full path, plus a Deluxe Choice Pack at the 40-point mark.
All Retro World Series Program rewards
Here is the complete reward path from start to finish:
| Points Required | Reward |
|---|---|
| 10 | 99 OVR Brooks Robinson + 1,000 XP |
| 20 | 99 OVR Tom Glavine + 1,000 XP |
| 30 | 99 OVR Bob Gibson + 1,000 XP |
| 40 | Deluxe Choice Pack + 1,000 XP |
| 50 | 99 OVR David Ortiz + 2,026 XP |
All four player cards are Show Classic awards cards tied to World Series history. None of them can be sold on the Community Market, so their value is purely in strengthening your roster.
99 OVR David Ortiz card
What cards do you actually get?
Brooks Robinson (10 points)
Brooks Robinson is the first unlock and covers third base. His card is built around the defensive reputation that defined his career, though at 99 OVR the offensive attributes are competitive as well. A solid early pickup if your hot corner is a weak spot.
Tom Glavine (20 points)
Tom Glavine arrives at the 20-point mark as a starting pitcher option. His profile leans toward command and pitch movement rather than raw velocity, which suits players who prefer working the edges of the zone over blowing fastballs past hitters.
Bob Gibson (30 points)
Bob Gibson is the power arm of the group. His 1967 season is one of the most dominant pitching performances in postseason history, and the card reflects that. If your rotation needs a high-strikeout starter, Gibson is the one to prioritize.
David Ortiz (50 points)
David Ortiz is the main event. His card represents his legendary 2013 World Series run with the Red Sox, and it is designed for the middle of your batting order. Big Papi's value comes from plate discipline and situational hitting, making him particularly effective in close games where at-bat quality matters.
How to complete the program: all 14 tasks
Retro World Series Moments (10 tasks, 30 points)
Ten Moments cover the bulk of the point requirement. Each one awards 3 points, so completing all 10 gets you to 30 points and unlocks the first three player cards along the way.
The Moments recreate iconic World Series performances:
- Freeman's Walk-Off Slam
- Springer Leads Astros to First Championship
- Seager Wins World Series MVP Twice
- Robinson Dominates Reds in 1970
- Yamamoto Secures Dodgers Repeat
- Glavine Gives Atlanta its 90s Title
- Pujols Ties MLB Postseason Record
- Gibson Goes 3-0 in 1967
- Cardinals Can't Get Ortiz Out in 2013
- Mazeroski's Game 7 Walk-Off
Before starting any Moment, read the specific objective. Some require you to hit, others to pitch. The mistake most players make is jumping in without checking the win condition, then failing a pitching Moment because they were swinging for the fences.
For pitching Moments, work ahead in counts and mix pitch types. For hitting Moments, prioritize contact over power unless the objective specifically asks for extra-base hits.
Retro World Series Missions (2 tasks, 10 points)
These two missions require Parallel XP (PXP) earned with specific franchise players:
| Mission | PXP Requirement | Points |
|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees players | 270 PXP | 5 |
| St. Louis Cardinals players | 110 PXP | 5 |
The Yankees mission references their 27 World Series championships. The Cardinals mission reflects their 11 NL titles. Both are achievable offline through Play vs CPU, Conquest, Mini Seasons, or Diamond Quest.
2026 World Series Missions (2 tasks, 10 points)
These two missions tie the program to the live 2026 postseason:
| Mission | PXP Requirement | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays players | 2,026 PXP | 5 |
| Milwaukee Brewers players | 2,026 PXP | 5 |
The 2026 World Series features the Tampa Bay Rays (AL pennant winners) against the Milwaukee Brewers (NL pennant winners). You need 2,026 PXP with each team's players.
What is the fastest way to finish the program?
Here's the short answer: front-load your Moments, then run the PXP missions in offline modes with a dedicated lineup.
Step 1: Complete all 10 Moments first. They are fixed tasks with no randomness, and finishing them puts you at 30 points before you touch the missions.
Step 2: Check your Diamond Dynasty collection for Yankees, Cardinals, Rays, and Brewers player cards before spending Stubs. You may already have enough eligible cards to build solid lineups for each mission.
Step 3: Run the Yankees (270 PXP) and Cardinals (110 PXP) missions in Play vs CPU or Conquest. These are low requirements and should not take long with a focused lineup.
Step 4: Tackle the 2,026 PXP Rays and Brewers missions last. Mini Seasons and Conquest are the most efficient offline options because you can control your lineup completely and play at your own pace. For a deeper look at getting the most out of those modes, the MLB The Show 26 Mini Seasons guide covers the best methods for stacking XP and rewards efficiently.
Is the Retro World Series Program worth completing?
Yes, without question. Four 99 OVR cards through direct program progression, with no pack luck required, is a strong value proposition for any Diamond Dynasty player.
Gibson and Ortiz are the two most impactful cards for competitive play. Gibson gives you a high-strikeout starter, and Ortiz adds a dangerous middle-of-the-order bat with genuine plate discipline. Glavine is a legitimate rotation option for players who prefer a command-based approach. Brooks Robinson is the least flashy of the four but still a 99 OVR upgrade at third base.
The Deluxe Choice Pack at 40 points adds extra value on top of the player cards. Even if you only want Ortiz, the full 50-point path is worth finishing for the pack alone.
For newer Diamond Dynasty players still building their roster, check the MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty beginner's guide before spending Stubs on additional team cards for the PXP missions. You may be able to complete the missions entirely with cards you already own.
If you want to see how these program rewards stack up against the top-rated cards currently in the game, the MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty player ratings guide breaks down the best 99 OVR options by position. For everything else across modes and programs, the full MLB The Show 26 strategy guides collection has you covered.
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks are in the Retro World Series Program? The program has 14 tasks total: 10 Moments and 4 PXP missions across three categories.
Can I complete the program offline? Yes. The PXP missions support Play vs CPU, Conquest, Mini Seasons, and Diamond Quest. You do not need to play online to finish the program.
Are the player cards sellable on the Community Market? No. All four player cards are No Sell rewards. Their value is in your Diamond Dynasty roster, not as Stubs.
What teams do I need for the 2026 World Series missions? You need Parallel XP earned with Tampa Bay Rays players and Milwaukee Brewers players, 2,026 PXP each.
Can I skip any Moments? No. You need all 10 Moments to reach 30 points, and you need all 14 tasks completed to reach the 50-point final reward.
