Full Breakdown
MLB and RISE Worldwide Partner to Accelerate Baseball’s Growth in India
5/21/2026, 2:27:43 AM
Strategic Partnership
MLB and RISE Worldwide—a Reliance subsidiary—have signed an agreement to expand baseball in India, covering marketing, digital and a Mumbai showcase in October 2026. MLB Deputy Commissioner Noah Garden called the deal “a key milestone in MLB’s international growth strategy.” RISE head Nikhil Bardia called India “one of the most dynamic sports markets” for baseball.
Grassroots Development
MLB opened a New Delhi office in 2019 and launched the MLB First Pitch program in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The MLB Cup started in 2021 as an under-11 tournament with 12 teams, added an under-13 division and grew to 150 teams the following year. RISE Director of International Business Ryo Takahashi says five-and-a-half years of “boots on the ground” built a network of coaches and youth clubs, reaching about 2,000 participants from regions such as Nizamabad and western Maharashtra. Reliance Youth Foundation, led by Nita Ambani, backs an education-first model linking sport and schooling.
Participation Growth
Since its 2021 debut, the MLB Cup has expanded from 12 under-11 teams to 150 teams across under-11 and under-13 categories, with current participation estimated at about 2,000 players. MLB’s digital outreach uses the Reliance-owned JioStar streaming platform.
Official Statements & Responses
MLB officials say the partnership will “introduce the excitement of baseball to wider audiences” and will be amplified through JioStar and fan experiences. RISE officials promise “on-the-ground and digital experiences that make baseball accessible and exciting,” and view Mumbai showcase as a flagship moment to cement baseball among Indian youth.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This partnership is a key milestone in MLB’s international growth strategy,” — Noah Garden, Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, MLB
- “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,” — Nikhil Bardia, Head of RISE Worldwide
- “We've been spending the last five-and-a-half-years, boots on ground, testing and learning and building broadcast relationships, building our grassroots programming,” — Ryo Takahashi, Director of International Business, RISE Worldwide
- “Our job in the Indian market is not to create the next Yao Ming, it's not to somehow get Arjun into the big leagues. That's going to happen organically, it's out of our hands,” — Ryo Takahashi, Director of International Business, RISE Worldwide
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source cites 150 teams in the MLB Cup, while another references roughly 2,000 participants without specifying whether the count reflects individual players or team entries. Detailed plans for the Mumbai event’s format and projected attendance remain undisclosed.
Upcoming Mumbai Event and Future Initiatives
The October 2026 Mumbai showcase will feature player demos, fan zones and digital integration. Initiatives will expand youth tournaments, increase broadcast via JioStar and produce content such as the documentary “Indian Baseball Dreams.” MLB and RISE aim to solidify an ecosystem before pursuing commercial ventures or league structures in India.
