CivicScience confirmed that 47% of U.S. adult respondents say they will follow the 2026 MLB season at least somewhat closely, the highest level the company has observed; viewers of a rays game today should expect the seasonwide rollout of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system. CivicScience confirmed this surge follows a 35% reading ahead of the 2025 season and comes as the season opened with a Netflix exclusive opening-night game.
CivicScience Survey: Key Figures
CivicScience confirmed that intent to follow MLB in 2026 reached 47%, up from 35% ahead of the 2025 season, and that the increase is concentrated among younger adults. CivicScience reported that intent is strongest among Gen Z adults ages 18-29 and Millennials ages 30-44, and that men are more likely than women to plan on following MLB at least somewhat closely, at 53% versus 40%. CivicScience also confirmed a link between recent international play and domestic interest: among those who said they were at least somewhat likely to watch the World Baseball Classic this year, 86% also said they plan to follow the 2026 MLB season at least somewhat closely.
Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Effect
MLB confirmed the 2026 season introduces the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, and CivicScience confirmed that rule changes have become a stronger viewing motivator: the percentage citing rule changes as a primary reason for watching rose from 14% in 2025 to 21% in 2026. CivicScience reported that among MLB fans, 21% say ABS makes them more likely to watch, 15% say ABS makes them less likely to watch, and 63% say it has no impact. CivicScience confirmed a sharper reaction from the most engaged viewers: among Americans who follow MLB very closely, 47% say ABS makes them more likely to watch while 5% say it makes them less likely to watch. The ABS challenge system allows batters, pitchers, and catchers to challenge individual ball-and-strike calls.
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World Baseball Classic and Streaming
CivicScience noted that the World Baseball Classic was held in early March and that Team USA fell to Team Venezuela in the final, and CivicScience confirmed the tournament correlated with higher declared MLB intent among its viewers. CivicScience also confirmed that the season opened with a Netflix exclusive opening-night game and that some teams are moving to direct-to-consumer streaming, changes CivicScience flagged alongside rising intent. The company presented the Netflix opener and direct-to-consumer moves as part of the distribution shift shaping how fans will access games this season.
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What this means for fans: CivicScience's findings confirm a larger and younger declared audience at the start of the 2026 season and show the ABS challenge system and new distribution deals affecting viewing choices. For readers planning to watch a rays game today, check whether your team’s broadcast rights have shifted to a direct-to-consumer service or appeared on Netflix, and expect ABS challenges to be in effect for ball-and-strike calls. The immediate open question is whether CivicScience's 47% will hold beyond the season’s opening weeks as these rule and distribution changes settle into place.
