# 2026 World Series schedule: Game 1 is October 23 and a possible Game 7 is October 31

Major League Baseball has set the championship series dates, broadcast windows and travel days as the league championship series determine the matchup.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / Baseball
Published: 2026-10-18T12:56:26.189Z
Updated: 2026-10-18T12:56:26.189Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/world-series-2026-schedule-fa3ac23
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/919ce111ab9669f97229045cb6ed820e.jpg (Official 2026 MLB postseason schedule including the World Series; credit: Major League Baseball)

## Summary
- Game 1 is Friday, October 23.
- Games 3 through 5 are scheduled for October 26-28, with Game 5 if necessary.
- Games 6 and 7, if needed, are October 30 and 31.

## The complete date sequence

The 2026 World Series begins Friday, October 23, with Game 2 scheduled for Saturday, October 24. After a travel day, Games 3 and 4 are set for Monday and Tuesday, October 26-27. Game 5, if necessary, follows on October 28. A second travel day precedes Games 6 and 7, if needed, on October 30 and October 31. [1](https://www.mlb.com/news/press-release-mlb-announces-2026-postseason-schedule) [2](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/)

## Broadcast information

FOX and FOX Deportes will carry the World Series in the United States, while ESPN Radio holds the national English-language radio coverage. Start times can be finalized closer to each game, so viewers should check MLB’s official listings before first pitch. Streaming availability depends on a viewer’s television provider and the packages carrying the relevant FOX feed. [1](https://www.mlb.com/news/press-release-mlb-announces-2026-postseason-schedule) [2](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/)

## How home-field advantage works

The team with the better 2026 regular-season record receives home-field advantage. That club hosts Games 1 and 2, then Games 6 and 7 if the series extends that far. The other league champion hosts Games 3, 4 and, if necessary, Game 5. Tiebreak procedures are applied if the pennant winners finished with identical records. [1](https://www.mlb.com/news/press-release-mlb-announces-2026-postseason-schedule) [2](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/)

## What remains undecided

The dates are official, but the final pairing depends on the American and National League Championship Series. Fans buying tickets or arranging travel should distinguish confirmed calendar dates from matchup-dependent venue information. A sweep would end the World Series on October 27; a full seven-game series would conclude on Halloween, October 31. [1](https://www.mlb.com/news/press-release-mlb-announces-2026-postseason-schedule) [2](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/)

## What to watch next

Schedules, rankings, injury information and roster roles can change after publication. The score and statistics above were checked against the listed official or major-news game coverage, while forward-looking implications are analysis based on the current standings. Readers following the next matchup should confirm kickoff times, availability reports and broadcast details with the league or team on game day. [1](https://www.mlb.com/news/press-release-mlb-announces-2026-postseason-schedule) [2](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/)

## Reporting sources
1. [MLB: MLB announces 2026 postseason schedule](https://www.mlb.com/news/press-release-mlb-announces-2026-postseason-schedule) (2026)
2. [ESPN: 2026 MLB postseason schedule](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/) (October 2026)