Future of MLB London Series ‘extremely bright’ as positive update given after cancelled 2026 games
Major League Baseball has not forgotten about the London Series, or UK fans.
In fact, talkSPORT has been told the ‘internal’ talks about the future of MLB regular season games in the English capital are looking ‘extremely bright’… despite a few hiccups.
And while you wait, MLB aim to sate the thirst of the UK baseball fanbase with the return of flagship show ‘Bases Covered Live’ – starting this weekend with a battle between the sport’s two financial powerhouses, who find themselves in very different places.
British baseball fanatics – and US fans hoping for a holiday – have been eagerly waiting for news on the London Series after the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays’ planned visit this summer was abandoned.
MLB cited scheduling conflicts with the London Stadium, the home of Premier League club West Ham United, as the reason behind the 2026 series collapse, as well as broadcasters whose airtime was being dedicated to covering the FIFA World Cup back home in the United States.
It was a big disappointment, for players as well as fans, with Bryce Harper among baseball’s superstars to get right behind the annual London trip.
Not only that, the nine-time All-Star wanted it bigger. Bring over more teams for a longer period of time. Put the London Series on the map to really help America’s Pastime take hold in Europe and find its home away from home.
After all, baseball was born in England.
Following a number of false starts, back-to-back series seeing Cubs vs Cardinals and Mets vs Phillies – which concluded in history-making fashion – bring their storied rivalries to British shores helped build a sense of momentum.
That was halted when plans of a one-year excursion to Paris in 2025 never came to fruition – venue issues again – which meant the wait for baseball’s European return has been extended to two years with 2026 also canned.
The Yankees – baseball’s most internationally famous team – returning to London after their inaugural series against old enemies Boston Red Sox in 2019 would have been box office, and Canada’s team, the Blue Jays, the perfect opponents for a British audience.
But, just as COVID-19 led to the following contest in 2020 being scrapped, other factors have intervened.
It’s left a massive question mark over the future of the series and the UK’s fiercely passionate and committed baseball fanbase in the dark, with no official word on the London Series since commissioner Rob Manfred’s cancellation statement in September 2025.
But, speaking to talkSPORT.com live from MLB Europe’s London HQ, MLB Network host and play-by-play announcer Melanie Newman said: “I think it [the future of the London Series] is extremely bright. That’s kind of been the internal discussions right now.
“It was supposed to shift to a couple other hosts and if anything, that shows off why London is such a strong host because of their success and the three times they have been able to put these events on.
“And so what we’re hopeful for, because it’s our favorite jewel event to be a part of and this is what guys like Bryce Harper have talked about, is that the next one is for more than just two games or make it multiple teams than just the two that we’ve previously seen.
“But everything looks like it’s all turning up right now in terms of revitalising the London Series, and we love the momentum that it’s already carried so far.
“We’re encouraged to hear that fans are almost waiting with bated breath for more news. It’s like you finish a good book and you’re waiting for the next series to come out and it will be an even better one.”
So what’s next? Despite the encouragement, the future of the London Series is still unknown.
The arrangement for London to host games in 2023, 2024 and 2026 is now over. We are now forced to await the verdict of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which is not expected until around March 2027.
“I know that MLB Europe are really thrilled to have the series in London and are proud of the three series we’ve watched,” Newman added, speaking on the Hawkbee and Jacobs show.
“The fans have been packing the place and have created a wonderful atmosphere. Unfortunately while they couldn’t recoup it this year, I know it’s not an ‘if’ but a ‘when’ for it to come back, and that excites us.
“I’m exited to see when it does happen, we know that it will, and I’m curious which teams get the draw, because everybody wants to argue to they should be the next slot.”
In the meantime, baseball is back on UK screens with the return of Bases Covered Live on BBC – new and improved and not just aimed at baseball dummies.
The show has always found a great balance between education for the uninitiated and insight and analysis for the regular viewer, with hosts Newman, former star Xavier Scruggs and musician and superfan Felix White proving the perfect trio to bring America’s game to fans new and old.
“It’s one of the more unique ways to take in any sport in the world, honestly, because it’s a very casual conversation where you can feel like you’re a buddy of ours while we bring you the game,” explains Newman.
“We’re hanging out on a couch. We have great conversation, we do call the game too, so you’re not going to be missing out or feeling that there’s just inane chat during situations where you want to know what’s going on.
“Because of that casual setting, it allows people who have never taken in baseball before to feel that they can learn it without being intimidated, but on the other side we have seen the fans’ reactions that they want the more minutiae of the game. They want to have a little more of the nitty gritty detail. and so we’ve infused that.”
The show’s return on Sunday sees New York Mets host Los Angeles Dodgers – a clash that represents the dos and don’ts of millionaire ownership.
They are baseball’s two biggest-spending teams, and yet one has collected back-to-back World Series championships, while the other can’t seem to buy a win despite a payroll of over $360million.
Many may point to one man as the difference – the game’s ‘unicorn’ two-way miracle Shohei Otani – but the Dodgers are far more than just a one-man team.
And while the Mets have potential in a young, emerging squad centred around $765million posterboy Juan Soto, their current struggles are a result of misspending and failed gambles.
“They are both the highest spending teams out there, and yet the results are different,” says Newman. “You look at where the Mets should be, that next big dog contender, they should be giving the Dodgers a run for their money, but instead, their manager has been fired halfway through the season and they’re trying to figure things out right now.
“While what the Dodgers have done and are doing is historical, and it’s not just Shohei Otani.”
While true baseball followers know there is more to the Dodgers than Ohtani – who was not MVP for either of their recent World Series wins – it is clear the Japanese icon is the main draw for viewers to watch this history-making man in action.
“We ultimately might be watching the game’s best dynasty happen right in front of our eyes,” said Scruggs. “When you introduce an audience to a different sport, the audience is asking, who’s the best? What does the best look like? This is what you get to see from the Dodgers.
“And when I think about people falling in love with the sport of baseball, I think about Shohei Otani. This guy does something in the game that nobody else does, as a pitcher and a hitter.
“Having played this game and to see him make it look like you’re just a child playing in the backyard, making baseball look so simple and showing that he’s bars above everybody else – it puts you in a state of awe.
“I think people also understand that a lot of times people in the world of sports athletes are handed a contract, maybe the highest contract in the game, and they don’t live up to that. But when it comes to Shohei Otani, he’s probably surpassed what he’s been compensated for.”
Which is saying a lot, considering the Dodgers signed him to a 10-year $700million contract.
“We have just quite literally never seen anything like him,” adds Newman. “Babe Ruth was great, but he didn’t pitch at the level that Shohei is doing. And it really is a once in a generation talent.”
Prime time Sunday baseball is back on UK screens with the return of Bases Covered Live on Sunday July 26.
Join Mel Newman, Xavier Scruggs and Felix White on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app for 10 straight Sunday evenings, plus two postseason double headers!
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