The 2026 MLB Playoff Schedule is locked in, and October baseball is almost here. After 162 regular-season games, the top 12 teams will fight through the Wild Card Series, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series for the chance to claim the Commissioner’s Trophy.
This complete MLB Playoff Schedule covers every important date, the full MLB Playoff Bracket structure, qualification rules, and the path to the Fall Classic.
When Do the 2026 MLB Playoffs Start?
The regular season wraps up on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
The MLB Playoffs 2026 begin just two days later on Tuesday, September 29, with the opening games of the Wild Card Series.
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule – Key Dates
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | OFF | |||
| Best-of-3 | ||||
| Tuesday | vs Wild Card Series Starts | Time TBA ET | ||
| Best-of-5 | ||||
| Saturday | vs Division Series Starts | Time TBA ET | ||
| Best-of-7 | ||||
| Sunday | vs League Championship Series Starts | Time TBA ET | ||
| Best-of-7 | ||||
| Friday | vs World Series Starts | Time TBA ET | ||
| Saturday | vs World Series Game 7 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET | ||
Full 2026 MLB Playoff Schedule
Here is the complete MLB Playoff Schedule for the 2026 postseason:
Full 2026 MLB Playoff Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 | ||||
| Tuesday | vs Wild Card Series | Time TBA ET | ||
| Oct. 3 – ~Oct. 10 | ||||
| Saturday | vs Division Series (ALDS & NLDS) | Time TBA ET | ||
| Oct. 11 – ~Oct. 20 | ||||
| Sunday | vs League Championship Series | Time TBA ET | ||
| Starts Oct. 23 | ||||
| Friday | vs World Series | Time TBA ET | ||
| Oct. 31 | ||||
| Saturday | vs World Series Game 7 (if needed) | Time TBA ET | ||
This MLB Playoff Schedule keeps postseason baseball rolling almost every day through the end of October.
How the 2026 MLB Playoff Bracket Works
The current MLB Playoff Bracket features 12 teams — six from the American League and six from the National League.
- 3 Division Winners
- 3 Wild Card Teams
Seeding in the MLB Playoff Bracket
- No. 1 and No. 2 seeds (top two division winners) receive a first-round bye
- No. 3 seed faces No. 6 seed
- No. 4 seed faces No. 5 seed
All Wild Card games in the MLB Playoff Bracket are hosted by the higher-seeded team.
Wild Card Series Schedule (Sept. 29 – Oct. 1)
The first round of the MLB Playoff Schedule is a best-of-three series. Every game airs on NBC / Peacock / NBCSN.
2026 MLB Wild Card Series
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | vs ALWC A Game 1 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Tuesday | vs ALWC B Game 1 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Tuesday | vs NLWC A Game 1 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Tuesday | vs NLWC B Game 1 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Wednesday | vs ALWC A Game 2 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Wednesday | vs ALWC B Game 2 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Wednesday | vs NLWC A Game 2 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Wednesday | vs NLWC B Game 2 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Thursday | vs ALWC A Game 3 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET | ||
| Thursday | vs ALWC B Game 3 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET | ||
| Thursday | vs NLWC A Game 3 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET | ||
| Thursday | vs NLWC B Game 3 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET |
Division Series Schedule (Oct. 3 – ~Oct. 10)
Winners of the Wild Card Series move into the Division Series portion of the MLB Playoff Schedule.
- ALDS → TBS, truTV, HBO Max
- NLDS → FOX / FS1 / FOX Deportes
This is a best-of-five series. The top two seeds in each league enter the MLB Playoff Bracket at this stage after their first-round bye.
League Championship Series (Oct. 11 – ~Oct. 20)
The next stage of the MLB Playoff Schedule determines the pennant winners.
- NLCS → FOX / FS1 / FOX Deportes
- ALCS → TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Best-of-seven. The two winners advance to the World Series.
2026 World Series Schedule
The 2026 World Series schedule begins on Friday, October 23, and will be broadcast exclusively on FOX / FOX Deportes.
2026 World Series Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | vs Game 1 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Saturday | vs Game 2 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Monday | vs Game 3 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Tuesday | vs Game 4 | Time TBA ET | ||
| Wednesday | vs Game 5 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET | ||
| Friday | vs Game 6 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET | ||
| Saturday | vs Game 7 (if necessary) | Time TBA ET |
Home-field advantage goes to the club with the better regular-season record. There is no November baseball on the 2026 calendar.
Why the Top Seeds Get a Bye
The MLB Playoff Bracket rewards the strongest regular-season teams. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds skip the Wild Card round, gain extra rest, and keep home-field advantage in the Division Series. That design makes every September game matter in the race for the best possible position in the MLB Playoff Schedule.
FAQ
When do the 2026 MLB Playoffs start?
Tuesday, September 29, with the first games of the Wild Card Series on the MLB Playoff Schedule.
How many teams make the playoffs?
12 total — six from the American League and six from the National League.
What is the format of the Wild Card Series?
Best-of-three, with all games played at the higher seed’s ballpark.
When does the 2026 World Series begin?
Friday, October 23, according to the official World Series schedule.
When is a possible Game 7?
Saturday, October 31.
The complete MLB Playoff Schedule delivers a full month of October baseball. From the pressure of the Wild Card Series through a potential Halloween Game 7, every round of the MLB Playoff Bracket is ready. Bookmark this page and check back as exact matchups and start times are confirmed.