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Major League Baseball (MLB) has taken a significant step in its international expansion strategy after announcing a new partnership with RISE Worldwide to accelerate the growth of baseball in India, one of the fastest-growing sports and entertainment markets globally.
The collaboration with RISE Worldwide, the sports and entertainment arm of Reliance Industries, will focus on expanding baseball’s footprint across the country through grassroots programmes, fan engagement initiatives, commercial partnerships, and large-scale live experiences.
As part of the agreement, MLB and RISE Worldwide will host a major baseball event in Mumbai in October 2026, designed to introduce the sport to wider Indian audiences through interactive fan activities, youth development programmes, entertainment experiences, and community engagement initiatives.
The partnership underlines MLB’s growing interest in India as a long-term strategic market driven by its young population, rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, and increasing appetite for international sports properties beyond cricket.
Noah Garden, Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, MLB, said, “This partnership is a key milestone in MLB’s international growth strategy. 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, added, “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 Worldwide will support MLB across marketing, sponsorship development, commercial strategy, fan engagement, and event operations in India. The Reliance-backed company has established itself as one of India’s leading sports business firms with expertise spanning cricket, football, kabaddi, media rights, athlete management, and large-scale sporting events.
MLB has been steadily building its presence in India in recent years through initiatives such as the MLB Cup youth tournament and the First Pitch school programme across cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The league has also invested in India-focused content and storytelling projects aimed at introducing baseball to local audiences and bridging cultural familiarity between cricket and baseball.
The partnership with RISE Worldwide is expected to significantly strengthen those efforts while creating new opportunities across sponsorship, media, merchandise, and grassroots participation as MLB seeks to establish a deeper foothold in the Indian sports landscape.
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