MLB Finalises Tentative 2026 Postseason Framework and Broadcast Rights

Major League Baseball has published the tentative schedule for the 2026 postseason, outlining a playoff structure that commences on Tuesday, 29 September with the Wild Card Series and extends through a potential World Series Game 7 on Saturday, 31 October. The announcement, provided by Fox Sports, establishes the temporal framework for the tournament, although specific game times and team matchups remain subject to change pending the finalisation of regular-season standings.

The postseason will feature twelve qualified teams, comprising six from the American League and six from the National League. Under the established format, the two highest-seeded division winners in each league receive first-round byes, while the remaining four teams in each league compete in best-of-three Wild Card Series. An asterisk in the published schedule indicates games that are played only if necessary, reflecting the variable nature of the elimination rounds.

Broadcast rights have been allocated across multiple networks, with NBC confirmed to air the Wild Card Series. TBS will carry the American League Division Series (ALDS) and the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The National League Division Series (NLDS) and National League Championship Series (NLCS) are scheduled to air on FOX, FS1, and FOX One.

All World Series games are designated for broadcast on FOX, with the series scheduled to begin on Friday, 23 October. Streaming coverage for FOX and FS1 postseason content is available via FOX One, as well as through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, contingent upon an eligible TV provider login.

Matchups and start times will be added to the schedule as they are announced by the league. The structure of the playoffs involves four rounds: the Wild Card Series, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series. All dates provided in the initial release are tentative and subject to adjustment as the regular season progresses.