Avengers: Doomsday is being promoted with a baseball-themed crossover featuring MLB players during the World Series

Marvel Studios launched a unique promotion for Avengers: Doomsday this evening during Game 1 of the 2026 World Series on Fox between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The commercial is an Avengers-MLB crossover set on Earth-828 at Ebbets Field (the former home of the Dodgers when they were in Brooklyn; it was demolished on our Earth in 1960 – the promo apparently takes place in the same time period as Fantastic Four: First Steps, as you can see the New York Giants players in the background).

In it, Mr. Fantastic, sporting a Brooklyn Dodgers cap, takes the mound to throw out a first pitch with extending arms while The Thing thrills players as current and modern MLB players Freddie Freeman, Jacob Misiorowski, Bryce Harper, Randy Arozarena and Junior Caminero look on. They are interrupted when Dr. Doom attacks from the sky, with clips from the film interspersed throughout the promo.

Worlds collide ⚾Exclusive preview of Marvel’s new Avengers movie brings together Bryce Harper, Freddie Freeman, Jacob Misiorowski, Junior Caminero and Randy Arozarena 👀Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters worldwide December 18 https://t.co/WX1YtKjAKt

– MLB (@MLB) October 24, 2026

Live sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, NBA Finals and World Series, remain one of Hollywood’s favorite venues for launching new trailers and promoting films because in the era of streaming and on-demand content, they are one of the few forms of programming that consistently attracts a live, tuning in audience.

Avengers: Doomsday returns Chris Evans as Steve Rogers (who is referenced in a clip from the film used in the MLB promo), while Robert Downey Jr. trades in Iron Man’s mask for Dr. Doom’s and appears to be kidnapping heroes in the next film (although we’ll see RDJ as Stark at least one more time, starting in 2028 during Disney California Adventure’s upcoming Avengers: Infinity Defense run). Much of it remains shrouded in mystery, so even the actors in the film don’t know what’s going on.

Audience interest appears to be strong, as ticket pre-sales exceed those for this summer’s blockbuster film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But Marvel recommends you do your homework before heading to the theater for Doomsday.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s senior preview editor and host of IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Unblocked Podcastand co-host of Next generation console watch. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor’s ham”, not “pork roll”. Debate with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.