MLB taps Reliance’s RISE to pitch Baseball in India, Mumbai event planned in October

Major League Baseball (MLB) has partnered with RISE Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries, to accelerate the growth of baseball in India, betting on the country’s young sports audience as part of its international expansion strategy.

The partnership will span marketing, social media and commercial initiatives, culminating in a live baseball event in Mumbai in October 2026 aimed at taking the sport closer to Indian fans.

The collaboration marks a significant push by MLB to deepen its footprint in India, a market it sees as strategically important amid growing consumption of global sports content. MLB, which opened offices in New Delhi in 2019, has been building awareness for the sport through grassroots programmes such as MLB First Pitch in schools, youth competitions including the MLB Cup, and broadcasts of the MLB postseason.


The league has also sought to localise baseball content through India-focused originals such as Indian Baseball Dreams, as it looks to broaden engagement beyond niche audiences.

“This partnership is a key milestone in MLB’s international growth strategy,” said Noah Garden. “Working with RISE will allow us to introduce the excitement of baseball to even wider audiences while strengthening cultural connections through sport.”

Nikhil Bardia said India’s rapidly evolving sports ecosystem made this an opportune moment for baseball to build a local presence.

“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,” Bardia said. “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.”

The companies said they will jointly roll out fan engagement programmes, grassroots initiatives and on-ground experiences, with the Mumbai event expected to serve as a marquee showcase for the sport in India. The move follows the World Baseball Classic earlier this year, which MLB said underscored growing international interest in the game.