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The collaboration will cover marketing, social media, and commercial initiatives, and will culminate in a live event in Mumbai in October.
Major League Baseball. (X)
Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a new partnership with RISE Worldwide Limited (“RISE”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (“Reliance”), to accelerate the growth of baseball in India. The collaboration will cover marketing, social media, and commercial initiatives, and will culminate in a live event in Mumbai in October 2026, designed to bring the thrill of baseball closer to Indian fans.
This alliance represents an important milestone in MLB’s international expansion plans and underscores India’s rising status as a major sports market with a young, highly engaged fan base. Since establishing its New Delhi office in 2019, MLB has been actively promoting the sport in India through grassroots programmes like MLB First Pitch in schools, youth competitions such as the MLB Cup, and broadcasts of the MLB Postseason. The league has also launched India-focused original content, including Indian Baseball Dreams, to build awareness and deepen engagement with the sport.
“This partnership is a key milestone in MLB’s international growth strategy,” said Noah Garden, Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media. “Working with RISE will allow us to introduce the excitement of baseball to even wider audiences while strengthening cultural connections through sport.”
Nikhil Bardia, Head of RISE Worldwide, said, “India is one of the most dynamic sports markets in the world, and baseball’s global rise makes this a natural moment to bring the sport closer to Indian fans. RISE Worldwide is happy to partner with MLB to create experiences, on the ground and beyond, that make baseball accessible and exciting for audiences across the country.”
RISE’s expertise in sports and media creates strong opportunities to introduce baseball to even more fans across India. Together, MLB and RISE will deliver engaging experiences, including the Mumbai event and additional grassroots initiatives that expose new audiences to the game. Following a thrilling World Baseball Classic in March, MLB sees this partnership as a key step in further globalising the sport in India.
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