The 2026 NLCS begins Sunday, October 11, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Monday, October 19. The best-of-seven National League Championship Series determines which team advances to the World Series.
Here’s the game-by-game schedule, followed by matchup details and viewing information.
Full 2026 NLCS Schedule
| Game | Date |
|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
| Game 2 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Game 3 | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 |
| Game 4 | Thursday, October 15, 2026 |
| Game 5* | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
| Game 6* | Sunday, October 18, 2026 |
| Game 7* | Monday, October 19, 2026 |
Games 5, 6 and 7 are played only if necessary.
The schedule includes off days on October 13 and October 17. U.S. television coverage is scheduled for FOX and FS1, with Spanish-language coverage on FOX Deportes. Source: CBS Sports
Who Is Playing in the 2026 NLCS?
Dodgers vs. Brewers. Milwaukee hosts Games 1–2 and 6–7; Los Angeles hosts Games 3–5. Start times remain unlisted. Source: MLB
How Does the NLCS Work?
The NLCS is a best-of-seven series: the first team to win four games claims the National League pennant and advances to the World Series.
It follows a 2-3-2 hosting format. The higher seed hosts the first two games, the lower seed hosts the next three, and the series returns to the higher seed for the final two games if needed. A four-game sweep would end the series on October 15. Source: SportBusy
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 NLCS start?
Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026.
When is Game 7 of the 2026 NLCS?
Game 7 is scheduled for Monday, October 19, if neither team has already won four games.
What channel is the 2026 NLCS on?
The series is scheduled to air on FOX and FS1, with Spanish-language coverage on FOX Deportes. Check the individual game listing for its network assignment.
When does the World Series start after the NLCS?
The 2026 World Series is scheduled to begin Friday, October 23. Source: CBS Sports