The 2026 MLB postseason schedule begins with all four Wild Card Series starting Tuesday, Sept. 29, and running through Oct. 1 if necessary.
A total of 12 teams once again will make the MLB playoffs, with eight starting in the Wild Card round for a best-of-three matchup.
The top two division winners in the American League and National League receive the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in the MLB postseason bracket and await opponents that will emerge from the Wild Card Series.
Like in past years, the AL and NL Division Series begin on the same day, with that being Saturday, Oct. 3. Last October, teams in the NLDS received a day off between Games 1 and 2 despite there not being a need for travel, and in 2026 the scheduling quirk now applies to the ALDS.
Both NLDS matchups are being played under the more traditional schedule of back-to-back days when in the same city and off days only after Game 2 and a potential Game 4.
The NL Championship Series schedule starts on Sunday, Oct. 11. A potential Game 7 of the NLCS is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19. The 2026 ALCS begins Oct. 12 and a possible Game 7 is scheduled for Oct. 20.
Game 1 of the 2026 World Series is set for Friday, Oct. 23. Unlike with what was seen in 2024, this year’s World Series schedule does not include flexible dates that are dependent on how long either of Championship Series lasts.
If a Game 7 is necessary to determine the 2026 MLB champion, that is scheduled to be played on Halloween, which falls on a Saturday this year. Off days during the World Series for travel are Sunday, Oct. 25, and if necessary, Thursday, Oct. 29. The 2026 World Series format is 2-3-2, and the team with the better record has home-field advantage.
2026 MLB postseason schedule
National League Wild Card Series
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 29 (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN)
Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 30 (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN)
Game 3*: Thursday, Oct. 1 (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN)
American League Wild Card Series
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 29 (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN)
Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 30 (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN)
Game 3*: Thursday, Oct. 1 (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN)
National League Division Series
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 3 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 4 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 6 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 4*: Wednesday, Oct. 7 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 9 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
American League Division Series
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 3 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 5 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 7 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 4*: Thursday, Oct. 8 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 10 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
National League Championship Series
Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 11 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 12 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 14 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 15 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 16 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 18 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
Game 7*: Monday, Oct. 19 (Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes)
American League Championship Series
Game 1: Monday, Oct. 12 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 13 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 15 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 4: Friday, Oct. 16 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 17 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 6*: Monday, Oct. 19 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 20 (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
2025 World Series schedule
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 23 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 28 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 30 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
Game 7*: Saturday, Oct. 31 (Fox/Fox Deportes)
*If necessary
How to watch MLB playoffs 2026
Each of the four Wild Card Series will be covered by NBC/Peacock/NBC Sports Network. The Wild Card games mark the return of playoff baseball to NBC for the first time since the 2000 ALCS.
Fox or FS1, along with Fox Deportes, will combine to cover all NL playoff games. Meanwhile TNT Sports will simulcast AL postseason games on TBS, truTV and HBO MAX.
Fox and Fox Deportes will present live telecast coverage of the World Series for the 29th time.
All postseason games telecast on TNT Sports platforms, Fox and FS1 will be available to MLB.TV subscribers who are authenticated subscribers to the applicable network through a pay-TV provider.
MLB Network will have extensive studio coverage throughout the postseason, including “MLB Tonight” airing live before and after every game.
ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2026 MLB postseason games, beginning with the Wild Card Series.
In addition to coverage by Fox Deportes, this year’s postseason games will also be telecast in Spanish on Universo and
Univision, while Univision Radio will provide Spanish language audio coverage.
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