‘Backyard Sports’ Animated Special to Debut in 2026; Playground Productions to Complete Video Game Re-Release Lineup

An animated special based on the iconic video game franchise “Backyard Sports” is set to debut next year.

The project, which marks the Backyard Sports IP’s first foray beyond gaming, hails from “Backyards Sports” rights holder Playground Productions and is produced by “Bob’s Burgers” and “Rick & Morty” producer Lighthouse Studios. The voice cast for the special is set to be revealed in November.

The “Backyard Sports” special will premiere with screenings at Dave & Busters locations in partnership with the chain starting early 2026 ahead of a planned wider release.

Playground Productions revealed the “Backyard Sports” animated special news during an announcement-packed panel at New York Comic Con Friday, which featured Playground Productions founder and CEO Lindsay Barnett, Playground Productions Chief Product Officer Chris Waters and Mega Cat Studios CEO James Deighan in conversation with Variety‘s Senior Business Writer, TV and Video Games, Jennifer Maas.

Playground Productions purchased the rights to Backyard Sports in 2022 and has since relaunched several of the beloved 1990s and early-2000s titles for modern consoles and players. In November, Playground says it will simultaneously launch “Backyard Basketball ’01” and “Backyard Hockey ’02,” the two existing “Backyard” games left to be re-released.

A “Backyard Sports” retro bundle will launch with the dual re-release in November priced at $36, which will include “Baseball ’97,” “Baseball ’01,” “Football ’99,” “Soccer ’98,” “Basketball ’01,” and “Hockey ’02.” Additionally, “Basketball ’01” and “Hockey ’02” will be available to download and keep for free on Steam and players who already own some of the retro titles can enroll in Steam’s “Complete the Set” option to automatically adjust pricing for the bundle.

Meanwhile, Playground revealed that new “gamification” features have rolled out for “Backyard Baseball ’97.” Made in partnership with tech company Lucr, the features include extended multiplayer competitions like Home Run Competitions or Most Strikeouts, a live-updated global leaderboard and a chance to win tickets to the 2025 World Series. These new features will be available for specifically for iOS users.