MUMBAI (Diya TV) — Major League Baseball has announced a partnership with RISE Worldwide Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, to grow the sport of baseball in India. The collaboration will span marketing, social media, and commercial initiatives, and culminate in the joint delivery of a live event in Mumbai in October 2026, aimed at bringing the excitement of baseball closer to Indian fans.
RISE Worldwide — which stands for Reliance Initiative for Sports and Entertainment — will work with MLB to deliver fan experiences, digital content, and the live Mumbai event this October.
“This partnership is a key milestone in MLB’s international growth strategy,” said Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner for Business and Media. “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, said: “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.”
Since opening its offices in New Delhi in 2019, MLB has been actively developing the game in India through grassroots programs like MLB First Pitch in schools, youth competitions such as the MLB Cup, and broadcasts of the MLB Postseason. The league has also introduced India-focused original content, such as the documentary-style project Indian Baseball Dreams, helping create greater awareness and engagement around the sport.
India presents a distinct challenge for MLB given the dominant popularity of cricket. However, the shared bat-and-ball nature of both sports offers a logical entry point, as the fundamental concepts of hitting and fielding are already familiar to millions of Indian fans.
The announcement follows the World Baseball Classic held in March, as the league continues efforts to globalize the sport.
