Marvel Studios just pulled off one of the most creative movie promos in recent memory, debuting a baseball-themed Avengers: Doomsday World Series promo during Game 1 of the 2026 World Series on Fox. The spot aired during the matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays, and it is an Avengers-MLB crossover unlike anything fans have seen before.
Avengers: Doomsday MLB crossover promo (Credits: IGN)
The ad is set on Earth-828 at Ebbets Field — the former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, which was torn down on our Earth back in 1960. The period setting appears to place the promo in the same era as The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with New York Giants players visible in the background, grounding the whole thing in Marvel’s retro alternate timeline.
In the spot, Mr. Fantastic — sporting a Brooklyn Dodgers cap — takes the mound to throw a stretchy-armed first pitch, while The Thing hypes up the players from the sidelines. Watching from the dugout are current, real-world MLB stars Freddie Freeman, Jacob Misiorowski, Bryce Harper, Randy Arozarena, and Junior Caminero, who look on as the Marvel heroes take over their diamond.
Avengers: Doomsday World Series Promo Ends With Dr. Doom’s Attack
Just as the baseball fun reaches its peak, the tone shifts dramatically: Dr. Doom attacks from the sky, and the promo cuts into clips from the film itself. It is a classic Marvel bait-and-switch — luring viewers in with a lighthearted sports crossover before reminding everyone that Doom is coming, and he is not playing around.
The promo doubles as yet another reminder of the film’s release date: Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters everywhere on December 18. With roughly two months to go, Marvel’s marketing machine is clearly shifting into high gear, and dropping a custom spot into one of television’s biggest live audiences is a statement of intent.
Why the World Series Is Hollywood’s Favorite Trailer Stage
Live sporting events like the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and World Series remain Hollywood’s favorite venues for debuting new trailers and promos, and it is easy to see why. Tens of millions of viewers are locked in, watching live, with no skipping and no ad-blockers — the exact kind of captive audience studios dream about.
What makes this particular promo stand out is that Marvel did not just air a standard trailer. They built a bespoke crossover blending the Fantastic Four’s retro world with real MLB talent, turning a movie ad into a genuine pop-culture moment. It is the kind of marketing that gets talked about on sports shows and movie podcasts alike, doubling its reach.
With Dr. Doom looming over both the promo and the December 18 release, expect Marvel to keep the surprises coming as the countdown to Avengers: Doomsday continues.
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Source: IGN — read the full story there.