Overview of the 2026 MLB Playoff Format
The 2026 MLB playoffs will include twelve teams, with six from the American League and six from the National League, competing in a four-round bracket. The top two division winners in each league will receive a bye, while the remaining teams will participate in a best-of-three Wild Card Series.
The postseason is set to commence on September 29, with the World Series scheduled to start on October 23. Fans can watch the National League Division Series, National League Championship Series, and World Series on FOX and FS1.
In this format, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds earn direct entry into the Division Series, while the No. 3 seed will host the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed in the Wild Card Series. The bracket remains fixed after the Wild Card round, and home-field advantage in the World Series is awarded to the league champion with the better regular-season record.
