The 2026 MLB postseason is set to begin on Tuesday, September 29, launching a month-long road to the World Series championship.
Major League Baseball’s playoff schedule includes the Wild Card Series, American League and National League Division Series, ALCS, NLCS and the 2026 World Series, which begins Friday, October 23.
Here is the complete breakdown of the 2026 MLB playoff schedule and the important dates baseball fans need to know.
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule
| Postseason Round | Dates | Series Format |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Series | September 29–October 1 | Best-of-3 |
| Division Series | October 3–10 | Best-of-5 |
| NLCS | October 11–19 | Best-of-7 |
| ALCS | October 12–20 | Best-of-7 |
| World Series | October 23–31 | Best-of-7 |
2026 MLB Wild Card Series Schedule
The 2026 MLB Wild Card Series begins Tuesday, September 29, with four best-of-three matchups.
The Wild Card round is scheduled for September 29 through October 1. Unlike later postseason rounds, there are no travel days within a Wild Card Series because all three potential games are played at the higher-seeded team’s ballpark.
The 2026 Wild Card matchups are:
- Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves
- Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres
- Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros
- Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
Game 3 will only be played if necessary.
2026 MLB Division Series Schedule
The American League Division Series (ALDS) and National League Division Series (NLDS) begin Saturday, October 3.
Each Division Series is a best-of-five, meaning the first team to win three games advances to its respective League Championship Series.
The NLDS can run through October 9 if a Game 5 is necessary, while the ALDS can extend through October 10.
2026 NLCS Schedule
The 2026 National League Championship Series begins Sunday, October 11.
The NLCS is a best-of-seven series, with the winner becoming the National League champion and advancing to the World Series.
A potential NLCS Game 7 is scheduled for Monday, October 19.
2026 ALCS Schedule
The 2026 American League Championship Series begins Monday, October 12.
Like the NLCS, the ALCS uses a best-of-seven format. The winner advances to the World Series as the American League champion.
If the series goes the distance, ALCS Game 7 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20.
When Does the 2026 World Series Start?
The 2026 World Series begins Friday, October 23.
The Fall Classic follows the traditional 2-3-2 home-field format and can run through Halloween if all seven games are required.
2026 World Series Schedule
- Game 1: Friday, October 23
- Game 2: Saturday, October 24
- Game 3: Monday, October 26
- Game 4: Tuesday, October 27
- Game 5: Wednesday, October 28 — if necessary
- Game 6: Friday, October 30 — if necessary
- Game 7: Saturday, October 31 — if necessary
That means the 2026 MLB season could officially end on Halloween night if the World Series reaches a decisive Game 7.
Who Gets Home-Field Advantage in the 2026 World Series?
World Series home-field advantage is determined by regular-season winning percentage.
The team with the better regular-season record will host Games 1 and 2 and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7. The opposing team hosts Games 3, 4 and a potential Game 5.
Where to Watch the 2026 MLB Postseason
MLB postseason television coverage is divided among the league’s broadcast partners depending on the round and league.
The 2026 World Series will air on FOX in the United States. Specific game times and broadcast assignments for earlier postseason rounds can vary and are announced as the playoffs progress.
When Are the 2026 MLB Playoffs?
The 2026 MLB playoffs begin September 29 with the Wild Card Series and could continue through October 31 with World Series Game 7.
- Wild Card: September 29–October 1
- Division Series: October 3–10
- NLCS: October 11–19
- ALCS: October 12–20
- World Series: October 23–31
With the playoff field taking shape, the focus now turns toward which teams will survive October and reach the 2026 World Series.