The 2026 MLB postseason schedule begins Tuesday, September 29, with four best-of-three Wild Card series launching the road to the World Series.
Major League Baseball released the postseason broadcast schedule on September 27, confirming that all four opening-round matchups will be played from September 29 through October 1.
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2026 MLB playoffs open with four series
The Wild Card round features the Philadelphia Phillies against the Atlanta Braves, the Chicago White Sox against the Houston Astros, the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs against the San Diego Padres.
Each series is a first-to-two format, meaning a team can advance after winning two games while a third game will be played only if necessary.
| Date | Matchup | Game 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 29 | Phillies vs. Braves | 2 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, September 29 | White Sox vs. Astros | 5 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, September 29 | Red Sox vs. Yankees | 8 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, September 29 | Cubs vs. Padres | 10 p.m. ET |
Wild Card schedule and broadcast details
Game 2 in each series is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, with the same four matchups beginning at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern time.
If any series reaches a deciding Game 3, those games are scheduled for Thursday, October 1.
MLB said the Wild Card games will be carried across NBC Sports platforms, including NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
The opening round will also be available in Spanish on Universo, while ESPN Radio will provide national radio coverage throughout the postseason.
What comes after the Wild Card round
The Division Series is scheduled to begin Saturday, October 3, and continue through October 10.
The League Championship Series will follow from October 11 through October 20, with the American League and National League champions advancing to the World Series.
The 2026 World Series is scheduled to begin Friday, October 23, and could run through Saturday, October 31, if all seven games are required.
| Round | Scheduled dates | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Series | September 29 to October 1 | Best of three |
| Division Series | October 3 to October 10 | Best of five |
| League Championship Series | October 11 to October 20 | Best of seven |
| World Series | October 23 to October 31 | Best of seven |
Why the opening round matters
The short Wild Card format leaves little room for recovery after a poor start.
Unlike the Division Series and later rounds, each club has only two possible wins between advancing and elimination.
The schedule also places major-market rivalries in the opening round, including the Red Sox-Yankees matchup, while the Phillies-Braves series renews a National League East rivalry.
For Canadian baseball viewers, the postseason schedule provides a clear October calendar even though no Canadian team appears in the four Wild Card matchups announced by MLB.
When the World Series could end
The earliest possible end to the 2026 MLB season is October 27, assuming the World Series is completed in four games.
If the championship series goes the distance, Game 7 would be played on October 31 at the venue of the team with the better regular-season record.
MLB noted that the schedule remains subject to change, particularly where later-round results affect game dates and broadcast windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 2026 MLB playoffs begin?
The 2026 MLB playoffs begin Tuesday, September 29, with four best-of-three Wild Card series.
Which teams are playing in the 2026 MLB Wild Card round?
The matchups are Phillies vs. Braves, White Sox vs. Astros, Red Sox vs. Yankees and Cubs vs. Padres.
How many games are in an MLB Wild Card Series?
A Wild Card Series is best-of-three, so the first team to win two games advances.
When does the 2026 World Series start?
The 2026 World Series is scheduled to begin Friday, October 23.
When could the 2026 World Series end?
The World Series could end as early as October 27 in a four-game sweep or as late as October 31 if it reaches Game 7.
Fact-Checked: The matchups, dates, game times, postseason rounds and broadcast details were checked against Major League Baseball’s official 2026 postseason schedule and events information.
Disclaimer: Broadcast availability and game times may change, so viewers should confirm details with MLB and their local broadcaster before watching.