NX Group Named Presenting Sponsor of 2026 MLB Draft; Event to Be Held as '2026 MLB Draft presented by NX' in Philadelphia in July

NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Satoshi Horikiri) has been appointed as the Presenting Sponsor of the First-Year Player Draft hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB), and has decided to title sponsor the event for two years in 2026 and 2027. As a result, the event will be named the '2026 MLB Draft presented by NX'.

(2026 Event Logo)

About the MLB Draft

The MLB First-Year Player Draft is an annual event held during MLB All-Star Week in July, where future Major League players are selected from colleges and high schools across the United States.

In 2026, it will be held over two days, July 11 (Saturday) and July 12 (Sunday), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first hour will be broadcast nationally on NBC, followed by coverage on MLB Network and Peacock (streaming).

Background and Significance of the Sponsorship

Since its founding in 1937, the NX Group has been developing logistics businesses in 57 countries and regions worldwide. In the United States, it has built a business foundation for over 60 years since the establishment of Nippon Express USA in 1962.

The Group has also supported various challenges through baseball via sponsorship activities in international tournaments such as the 2023 and 2026 World Baseball Classic™ and the Samurai Japan Diamond Partnership.

By becoming the main sponsor of the MLB Draft, the NX Group aims to support the challenges of players taking new steps on the world's biggest stage, while enhancing the global brand awareness of the NX Group.

(Image of last year's venue)

Comments from Stakeholders

Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Partnerships: "The NX Group has been a valued partner for many years, strongly supporting the international growth of baseball and MLB. Expanding our relationship to include one of our flagship events in the U.S. speaks volumes about the depth of this partnership. The NX Group is a globally respected company, and we are proud they have chosen MLB for their U.S. business expansion and strategic growth."

Yuichi Ikeda, Executive Officer of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS: "The MLB Draft is where each team makes the best choices for their future. This aligns with our approach 'We Find the Way' – finding optimal solutions for diverse customer challenges. We sincerely support the players taking this big step in their lives and the teams welcoming them."

Event Overview

Event Name: 2026 MLB Draft presented by NX

Date: July 11 (Sat) & 12 (Sun), 2026

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Broadcast: NBC (National)/MLB Network/Peacock

Presenting Sponsor: NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

Contract Period: 2026 & 2027 (2 years)

About the NX Group:

The NX Group, founded in 1937, connects people, companies, and communities through logistics, and has grown alongside society. As a global logistics company with approximately 78,000 employees in 57 countries and regions, it provides high-quality logistics services utilizing land, sea, and air transport modes, as well as warehousing and IT.

The corporate message 'We Find the Way' represents the strong will and confidence to find the best way and see it through in any situation. Beyond just moving goods, as a partner co-creating customers' future, it provides sustainable and environmentally conscious supply chain solutions.

For more details: https://www.nipponexpress-holdings.com/en/