Major League Baseball has entered into a partnership with Reliance Industries’ RISE Worldwide to support the growth of baseball in India, with the collaboration set to include marketing, social media and commercial initiatives, as well as a live event in Mumbai in October 2026.

The move comes as MLB continues to expand its footprint in India after opening its New Delhi office in 2019 and launching grassroots programs such as MLB First Pitch in schools, the MLB Cup youth competition and India-focused content including Indian Baseball Dreams.

Partnership scope

According to the release, the partnership will cover fan experiences, digital content and a Mumbai event aimed at reaching a wider Indian audience. MLB said the arrangement is part of its broader international growth strategy, while RISE Worldwide said the collaboration would help make baseball more accessible across the country.

Noah Garden, MLB’s deputy commissioner for business and media, said the deal was a “key milestone” in the league’s international growth strategy, while RISE Worldwide head Nikhil Bardia said India was “one of the most dynamic sports markets in the world”. The release did not disclose financial terms, equity stakes or the number of events planned beyond the Mumbai activation.

The release said the tie-up is intended to strengthen MLB’s connection with Indian fans and support cultural links through sport. It also positions India as an important market in MLB’s international expansion plans, though the league has not said it is pursuing a commercial banking-style or franchise-led approach in the country.

MLB’s presence in India has been limited so far to development, content and broadcast initiatives, rather than a local league or permanent professional competition. The new partnership appears aimed at deepening awareness of the sport rather than announcing a structural change to the game’s setup in India.

The partnership must also be viewed in the backdrop of Reliance’s broader sports and entertainment business through RISE Worldwide, which handles sponsorship consulting, athlete management, marketing, media rights, broadcast production, licensing and event implementation. RISE has worked on properties including the Indian Super League and Tata Open Maharashtra.

For MLB, the India push adds to a long-term strategy of building audiences outside North America, with the Mumbai event expected to be the most visible part of the collaboration in 2026.