The 2026 MLB playoff schedule begins on Tuesday, September 29 with the Wild Card Series. The regular season ends Sunday, September 27, giving qualifying teams just one off day before postseason baseball starts.
Twelve teams will compete across four rounds in October. Here is the complete guide covering every date, the playoff format, television windows and the World Series schedule.
When Do the MLB Playoffs Start in 2026?
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Regular season ends | Sunday, September 27, 2026 |
| Wild Card Series begins | Tuesday, September 29, 2026 |
| World Series begins | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| World Series Game 7 (if needed) | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
Full 2026 MLB Playoff Schedule Overview
| Round | Dates | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Series | Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 | Best-of-3 |
| Division Series (ALDS & NLDS) | Oct. 3 – Oct. 10 | Best-of-5 |
| League Championship Series (ALCS & NLCS) | Oct. 11 – Oct. 20 | Best-of-7 |
| World Series | Oct. 23 – Oct. 31 | Best-of-7 |
MLB Playoff Bracket Format 2026
Six teams qualify from each league (three division winners + three Wild Cards).
| Seed | Qualification |
|---|---|
| No. 1 | Best division winner (bye) |
| No. 2 | Second-best division winner (bye) |
| No. 3 | Remaining division winner |
| No. 4 | Best Wild Card |
| No. 5 | Second Wild Card |
| No. 6 | Third Wild Card |
Wild Card matchups
- No. 3 vs No. 6
- No. 4 vs No. 5
All Wild Card games are hosted by the higher seed. The top two seeds in each league receive a first-round bye and enter at the Division Series.
MLB Playoff: Wild Card Series Schedule, Dates
| Date | Games | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Sept. 29 | Game 1 (all four series) | NBC / Peacock / NBCSN |
| Wednesday, Sept. 30 | Game 2 (all four series) | NBC / Peacock / NBCSN |
| Thursday, Oct. 1 | Game 3 (if necessary) | NBC / Peacock / NBCSN |
American League
- AL 3 vs AL 6
- AL 4 vs AL 5
National League
- NL 3 vs NL 6
- NL 4 vs NL 5
The Wild Card Series is a best-of-three format. Every game is played at the higher seed’s ballpark.
MLB Playoff Schedule: Division Series Dates
Dates: October 3 – October 10 (best-of-five)
| Date | Series | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct. 3 | ALDS Game 1 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Sat, Oct. 3 | NLDS Game 1 | Fox / FS1 |
| Sun, Oct. 4 | NLDS Game 2 | Fox / FS1 |
| Mon, Oct. 5 | ALDS Game 2 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Tue, Oct. 6 | NLDS Game 3 | Fox / FS1 |
| Wed, Oct. 7 | ALDS Game 3 + possible NLDS Game 4 | TBS / Fox |
| Thu, Oct. 8 | Possible ALDS Game 4 | TBS |
| Fri, Oct. 9 | Possible NLDS Game 5 | Fox / FS1 |
| Sat, Oct. 10 | Possible ALDS Game 5 | TBS |
The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds enter the playoffs at this stage after their bye. First team to win three games advances.
MLB Playoff Schedule: League Championship Series Dates
Dates: October 11 – October 20 (best-of-seven)
| Date | Series | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Oct. 11 | NLCS Game 1 | Fox / FS1 |
| Mon, Oct. 12 | ALCS Game 1 + NLCS Game 2 | TBS / Fox |
| Tue, Oct. 13 | ALCS Game 2 | TBS |
| Wed, Oct. 14 | NLCS Game 3 | Fox / FS1 |
| Thu, Oct. 15 | ALCS Game 3 + NLCS Game 4 | TBS / Fox |
| Fri, Oct. 16 | ALCS Game 4 + possible NLCS Game 5 | TBS / Fox |
| Sat, Oct. 17 | Possible ALCS Game 5 | TBS |
| Sun, Oct. 18 | Possible NLCS Game 6 | Fox / FS1 |
| Mon, Oct. 19 | Possible ALCS Game 6 + NLCS Game 7 | TBS / Fox |
| Tue, Oct. 20 | Possible ALCS Game 7 | TBS |
The winners of the ALCS and NLCS claim their league pennants and advance to the World Series.
MLB Playoff Schedule: World Series 2026, Dates, Times
| Game | Date | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Friday, October 23 | Fox |
| Game 2 | Saturday, October 24 | Fox |
| Game 3 | Monday, October 26 | Fox |
| Game 4 | Tuesday, October 27 | Fox |
| Game 5* | Wednesday, October 28 | Fox |
| Game 6* | Friday, October 30 | Fox |
| Game 7* | Saturday, October 31 | Fox |
The entire series airs on Fox. Home-field advantage goes to the team with the better regular-season record. No November baseball is currently scheduled.
How Many Teams Make the MLB Playoffs?
Twelve teams total:
- American League: 3 division winners + 3 Wild Cards
- National League: 3 division winners + 3 Wild Cards
Why Do the Top Two Seeds Receive a Bye?
Major League Baseball rewards the strongest regular-season teams. The two highest-seeded division winners in each league:
- Skip the Wild Card round
- Receive extra rest
- Automatically advance to the Division Series
- Keep home-field advantage in the Division Series
This structure keeps regular-season games meaningful through the final week of September.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the MLB playoffs start in 2026?
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 with the Wild Card Series.
How long is the Wild Card Series?
Best-of-three. All games at the higher seed’s ballpark.
When does the World Series begin?
Friday, October 23, 2026.
When could Game 7 be played?
Saturday, October 31, 2026 if the series goes the distance.
Which teams get a bye?
The top two division winners in each league.
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule: The Road to the World Series
The 2026 MLB playoff schedule keeps the postseason compact and intense. Action starts September 29, moves quickly through the Wild Card and Division Series, then shifts to best-of-seven League Championship Series before the World Series opens October 23. Everything is scheduled to wrap by October 31 if a seventh game is needed.
This calendar gives fans a clear path from the final weekend of the regular season all the way to a potential Halloween night Game 7.
