How many games are played in the World Series? This is the format for the Fall Classic

The Milwaukee Brewers have secured their first World Series appearance since 1982, sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series as they will now await the winner of the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians . The 2026 Fall Classic begins Friday, October 23, with Milwaukee holding home-field advantage after finishing with the best regular-season record in Major League Baseball with 103 wins.

The championship will conclude the season with a best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win four games will claim the title as the format rewards consistency across the regular season while giving both pennant winners an opportunity to compete for baseball's biggest prize. The series follows a 2-3-2 format, with the team holding home-field advantage hosting Games 1 and 2, then Games 6 and 7 if necessary. The opponent hosts Games 3, 4 and 5, giving the lower-seeded team three consecutive home games. Milwaukee earned home-field advantage by posting the best regular-season record in the league. That benefit applies regardless of whether Tampa Bay or Cleveland emerges from the American League , placing the Brewers in position to open the championship in front of their home supporters.

What is the 2026 World Series schedule?

Milwaukee now has a chance to win the franchise's first World Series championship after its only previous appearance ended in a seven-game defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982, when the Brewers competed in the American League . Their postseason run has already delivered a historic sweep of the defending champions and Shohei Ohtani , but four more victories are required to complete the journey and conclude a memorable year. The Brewers ' opponent will be confirmed once the American League Championship Series concludes. Tampa Bay and Cleveland remain in contention, with the winner earning the right to challenge baseball's regular-season leaders for the title. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, October 23, with all seven potential games set to begin at 20:00 ET/17:00 PT. Every contest will be broadcast on FOX, allowing viewers to follow the championship throughout its scheduled run. The opening two games take place on Friday and Saturday before the series moves to the American League champion's home stadium for three consecutive games. After a scheduled day off on Thursday, October 29, the series would return to Milwaukee for Games 6 and 7 if the championship remains undecided. Below is the schedule: Game 1, Friday, October 23 : 20:00 ET/17:00 PT in Milwaukee Game 2, Saturday, October 24 : 20:00 ET/17:00 PT in Milwaukee Game 3, Monday, October 26 : 20:00 ET/17:00 PT in Cleveland/Tampa Bay Game 4, Tuesday, October 27 : 20:00 ET/17:00 PT in Cleveland/Tampa Bay Game 5, Wednesday, October 28 : 20:00 ET/17:00 PT *if necessary in Cleveland/Tampa Bay Game 6, Friday, October 30 : 20:00 ET/17:00 PT *if necessary in Milwaukee Game 7, Saturday, October 31 : 20:00 ET/17:00 PT *if necessary in Milwaukee