The 2026 MLB playoff schedule begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, with the Wild Card Series and runs through a potential World Series Game 7 on Saturday, Oct. 31.
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule
An asterisk indicates a game that will be played only if necessary. All dates are tentative and game times are to be determined.
Wild Card Series — NBC, NBCSN, Peacock
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 29
- No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 2 p.m.
- No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 5 p.m.
- No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
- No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 10 p.m.
Sport 2: Wednesday, Sept. 30
- No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 2 p.m.
- No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 5 p.m.
- No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
- No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 10 p.m.
Sport 3*: Thursday, Oct. 1 (provided that obligatory; instances depend upon which collection go to a 3rd recreation)
- If only one series goes to Game 3: 8 p.m.
- If Phillies-Braves and Cubs-Padres go to Game 3:No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 2 p.m.No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 8 p.m.
- No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 2 p.m.
- No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 8 p.m.
- If White Sox-Astros and Red Sox-Yankees go to Game 3:No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 2 p.m.No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
- No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 2 p.m.
- No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
- If White Sox-Astros and Cubs-Padres go to Game 3:No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 2 p.m.No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 8 p.m.
- No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 2 p.m.
- No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 8 p.m.
- If White Sox-Astros and Phillies-Braves go to Game 3:No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 2 p.m.No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 8 p.m.
- No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros, 2 p.m.
- No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 8 p.m.
- If Red Sox-Yankees and Cubs-Padres go to Game 3:No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 7 p.m.No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 9:30 p.m.
- No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 7 p.m.
- No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres, 9:30 p.m.
- If Phillies-Braves and Red Sox-Yankees go to Game 3:No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 2 p.m.No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
- No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves, 2 p.m.
- No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees, 8 p.m.
American League Division Sequence — TBS
Sport 1: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Astros-White Sox winner at No. 2 Guardians, 1 p.m.
- Yankees-Red Sox winner at No. 1 Rays, 6:30 p.m.
Sport 2: Monday, Oct. 5
- Astros-White Sox winner at No. 2 Guardians, 5 p.m.
- Yankees-Red Sox winner at No. 1 Rays, 8 p.m.
Sport 3: Wednesday, Oct. 7
- No. 2 Guardian at Astros-White Sox winner, TBD
- No. 1 Rays at Yankees-Red Sox winner, TBD
Sport 4*: Thursday, Oct. 8
- No. 2 Guardian at Astros-White Sox winner, TBD
- No. 1 Rays at Yankees-Red Sox winner, TBD
Sport 5*: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Astros-White Sox winner at No. 2 Guardians, TBD
- Yankees-Red Sox winner at No. 1 Rays, TBD
Nationwide League Division Sequence — FOX, FS1, FOX One
Sport 1: Saturday, Oct. 3
OPTION 1 (if Cubs beat Padres):
- No. 5 Cubs at No. 1 Brewers, 4 p.m. (FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
- Braves-Phillies winner at No. 2 Dodgers, 9 p.m. (FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
OPTION 2 (if Padres beat Cubs):
- Braves-Phillies winner at No. 2 Dodgers, 4 p.m. (FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
- No. 4 Padres at No. 1 Brewers, 8:30 p.m. (FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
Sport 2: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Padres-Cubs winner at No. 1 Brewers, 4 p.m. (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
- Braves-Phillies winner at No. 2 Dodgers, 8 p.m. (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
Sport 3: Tuesday, Oct. 6
- No. 1 Brewers at Padres-Cubs winner, TBD (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
- 2. Dodgers at Braves-Phillies winner, TBD (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
Sport 4*: Wednesday, Oct. 7
- No. 1 Brewers at Padres-Cubs winner, TBD (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
- 2. Dodgers at Braves-Phillies winner, TBD (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
Sport 5*: Friday, Oct. 9
- Padres-Cubs winner at No. 1 Brewers, TBD (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
- Braves-Phillies winner at No. 2 Dodgers, TBD (FS1 or FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One)
Nationwide League Championship Sequence — 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 Sequence — TBS
- 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 Sequence — 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
MLB Associated Tales
Methods to Watch the 2026 MLB Playoffs
Wild Card Sequence video games will air on NBC. TBS will carry the ALDS and ALCS, whereas FOX and FS1 will carry the NLDS and NLCS. Each World Sequence recreation will air on FOX.
Followers can stream FOX and FS1 postseason protection with FOX One. FOX protection can also be accessible on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports activities App with an eligible TV supplier login.
How Many Groups Make the MLB Playoffs?
Twelve groups make the MLB playoffs: six from the American League and 6 from the Nationwide League. In every league, the 2 highest-seeded division winners obtain first-round byes. The opposite 4 groups compete in two best-of-three Wild Card Sequence.
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule FAQs
When Do the 2026 MLB Playoffs Start?
The 2026 MLB playoffs start Tuesday, Sept. 29, with Sport 1 of the Wild Card Sequence.
When Does the 2026 World Sequence Begin?
The 2026 World Sequence begins Friday, Oct. 23.
What Channel Is the 2026 World Sequence On?
All 2026 World Sequence video games will air on FOX and stream with FOX One.
When Will 2026 MLB Playoff Matchups and Begin Instances Be Introduced?
Wild Card Sequence matchups and begin instances are set, and Division Sequence begin instances for Oct. 3-5 have been introduced. Instances for the remaining video games can be introduced as every collection is determined. This schedule is tentative and topic to alter.
