Following renewed attention sparked by a new animated special, Backyard Baseball has officially confirmed its return with a brand-new game coming in 2026. For the uninitiated, Backyard Baseball originally launched in 1997 and quickly became one of the most recognizable kids’ sports games of its era. Article continues after adBackyard Baseball revival confirms first new game in decadesThe 11-minute animated special ended with a reveal that fans had waited nearly 30 years to see. Playground Productions confirmed that a brand-new Backyard Baseball game is in development and scheduled to release in summer 2026. Instead, it’s a completely new entry and the first original Backyard Baseball game since the late 1990s.