The 2026 MLB postseason kicks off on Tuesday, September 29, with the Wild Card Series and could extend to a decisive Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday, October 31.
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule
Note: Games marked with an asterisk () will only be played if necessary. All times are Eastern Time, and dates and times are tentative.*
Wild Card Series — NBC, NBCSN, Peacock
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 29
- Braves 5, Phillies 3
- White Sox 6, Astros 3
- Yankees 9, Red Sox 0
- Padres 8, Cubs 0
Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 30
- Phillies 4, Braves 3 (10 innings)
- White Sox 7, Astros 3 (Chicago advances)
- Yankees 9, Red Sox 2 (New York advances)
- Padres 4, Cubs 1 (San Diego advances)
Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 1
- Braves 6, Phillies 2 (Atlanta advances)
American League Division Series — TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 3
- White Sox 3, Guardians 0
- Rays 1, Yankees 0
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 5
- White Sox 4, Guardians 3
- Rays 5, Yankees 2
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 7
- Guardians 9, White Sox 3
- No. 1 Rays vs. No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
*Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 8**
- No. 2 Guardians at No. 6 White Sox, 5 p.m.
- No. 1 Rays at No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 10**
- No. 6 White Sox at No. 2 Guardians, 5 p.m.
- No. 4 Yankees at No. 1 Rays, 8 p.m.
National League Division Series — FOX, FS1, FOX One
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 3
- 5, Braves 3
- Brewers 3, Padres 2
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Brewers 4, Padres 3
- Braves 3, 1
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 6
- 3, Braves 1
- Padres 4, Brewers 3
*Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 7**
- No. 2 at No. 3 Braves, 6 p.m.
- No. 1 Brewers at No. 4 Padres, 10 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, Oct. 9**
- No. 4 Padres at No. 1 Brewers, 4:30 p.m.
- No. 3 Braves at No. 2 , 8 p.m.
National League Championship Series — FOX, FS1, FOX One
- Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 11
- Game 2: Monday, Oct. 12
- Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 14
- Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 15
- Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 16
- Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 18
- Game 7*: Monday, Oct. 19
American League Championship Series — TBS, HBO Max
- Game 1: Monday, Oct. 12
- Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 15
- Game 4: Friday, Oct. 16
- Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 17
- Game 6*: Monday, Oct. 19
- Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 20
2026 World Series — FOX, FOX One
- Game 1: Friday, Oct. 23
- Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26
- Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27
- Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 28
- Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 30
- Game 7*: Saturday, Oct. 31
How to Watch the 2026 MLB Playoffs
TBS will broadcast the American League Division Series (ALDS) and American League Championship Series (ALCS), while FOX and FS1 will cover the National League Division Series (NLDS) and National League Championship Series (NLCS). All World Series games will air on FOX.
Postseason matches on FOX and FS1 are also available for streaming through FOX One, FOXSports.com, and the FOX Sports app—accessible with a valid TV provider login.
How Many Teams Qualify for the MLB Playoffs?
Twelve teams make it to the postseason—six from the American League and six from the National League. The two highest-ranked division winners in each league receive a first-round bye, while the remaining four teams battle it out in two best-of-three Wild Card Series.
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule FAQs
When Does the 2026 World Series Start?
The World Series will begin on Friday, October 23.
What Channel Will Broadcast the 2026 World Series?
FOX will air every game of the World Series, with streaming available on FOX One.
When Will the Official Playoff Matchups and Game Times Be Released?
Championship Series game times will be announced once the Division Series concludes. Note that the schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Fan Take
This detailed playoff schedule builds excitement as fans anticipate October baseball, where every pitch could change history. It’s crucial for the sport because it highlights the growing importance of streaming alongside traditional broadcasts, making the game more accessible in the digital age.
Source: www.foxsports.com
