You get two ABS challenges per team per game , and any successful challenge is kept so you can use it again later in the game.

Quick Scoop: How many ABS challenges do you get?

In MLB’s new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system rolling out in 2026, each team starts with two challenges in a standard nine-inning game. That means both the home and away team go into the game knowing they can challenge two ball/strike calls made by the plate umpire.

The twist: successful challenges are retained. So if your team challenges a call and the ABS system overturns it, you keep that challenge and still have it available later in the game. If the challenge is denied (the call stands), you lose that challenge.

Who can use those challenges?

Only three on-field people can trigger an ABS challenge:

  • The batter
  • The catcher
  • The pitcher

They have to signal quickly right after the call, usually with a clear gesture (like tapping the helmet or similar motion, depending on team instructions).

Does it slow the game down?

So far, testing in spring training and the minors showed:

  • Roughly 4 challenges per game combined between both teams.
  • Reviews taking around 10–15 seconds on average.

That means the game flow stays pretty quick, but there’s now a strategic layer: teams must decide when a borderline call is worth risking a challenge, especially if they’re down to one.

Mini example

Imagine your team starts with two challenges:

  1. In the 2nd inning, your catcher challenges a ball that was called a strike, and ABS overturns it – you keep that challenge and still effectively have two.
  2. In the 5th, your batter challenges a strike call, ABS agrees with the umpire, so you lose that challenge and are down to one remaining.

Coaches are already talking about saving challenges for late, high‑leverage spots rather than burning them early on borderline calls.

HTML version of the key facts

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Aspect Details
How many ABS challenges do you get? Each team starts with two challenges per game.
Do you keep successful challenges? Yes, successful challenges are retained and can be used again.
Who can challenge? Batter, catcher, or pitcher only.
Total typical challenges per game About 4 challenges per game between both teams in testing.
Time added per review Roughly 10–15 seconds on average in trials.
**TL;DR:** For “how many ABS challenges do you get,” the current setup is **two per team per game, with successful ones staying in your pocket.**

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.