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The Milwaukee Brewers lead the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 in the 2026 World Series after a 3-2 win in Game 1. Every game starts at 8 p.m. ET and airs on Fox, with streaming on Fox One. Game 2 is Saturday, October 24, in Milwaukee, and a Game 7 would be played on Halloween. Neither team has ever won the World Series, so baseball will crown a first-time champion. The Brewers won a franchise-record 103 games, while the Rays won 98 and the American League’s top seed.
The 2026 World Series is underway, and baseball is guaranteed a brand new champion. The Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays have never won a title between them, so one long wait will end in the next week.
Milwaukee took the first step on Friday night, holding off a late Rays rally to win Game 1, 3-2, at home. The Brewers now lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.
Here is everything you need to know about the World Series 2026, including the full schedule, how to watch, a recap of Game 1 and the players who could decide it.
World Series 2026 Schedule
A First-Time Champion Is Coming!
Game 1 is in the books. Explore the full schedule, Game 1 recap, key players and how to watch the World Series.
All games start at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (5 p.m. Pacific). In the UK, Game 2 starts at 1 a.m. on Sunday, and from Game 3 on games start at midnight UK time because British clocks go back on October 25.
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result |
| Game 1 | Friday, October 23 | Rays at Brewers | Brewers 3, Rays 2 |
| Game 2 | Saturday, October 24 | Rays at Brewers | |
| Game 3 | Monday, October 26 | Brewers at Rays | |
| Game 4 | Tuesday, October 27 | Brewers at Rays | |
| Game 5* | Wednesday, October 28 | Brewers at Rays | |
| Game 6* | Friday, October 30 | Rays at Brewers | |
| Game 7* | Saturday, October 31 | Rays at Brewers |
*If necessary.
Milwaukee has home-field advantage after finishing with the better regular season record, so the Brewers host Games 1, 2, 6 and 7. If the series goes the distance, Game 7 will be played on Halloween night.
World Series Format Explained
The World Series is a best-of-seven series, so the first team to win four games is the champion. It uses a 2-3-2 format: the team with the better record hosts Games 1 and 2, the other team hosts Games 3, 4 and 5, and the series returns to the first team’s ballpark for Games 6 and 7 if needed.
There are two travel days built into this year’s schedule, on Sunday, October 25, and Thursday, October 29. Those breaks give both teams’ pitchers extra rest, which can change how managers plan their rotations.
How to Watch the World Series 2026
Every game of the World Series 2026 airs on Fox in the United States, with a Spanish-language broadcast on Fox Deportes.
You can stream the games on Fox One, Fox’s streaming service, and through live TV services that carry Fox. Viewers outside the US should check MLB’s international broadcast partners or MLB.tv in their country.
For the official schedule and any changes, see the MLB World Series FAQ.
World Series 2026 Game 1 Recap: Brewers 3, Rays 2
Brewers Edge Rays in a 3–2 Thriller!
The Brewers jumped ahead early and then hung on.
Milwaukee scored twice in the first inning against Rays opener Steven Matz, who walked three batters in less than two innings. The Rays cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth, and the Brewers added a run in the seventh to go back up by two.
William Contreras, Christian Yelich, who tripled, and Jackson Chourio each drove in a run for Milwaukee. Rays catcher Liam Hicks drove in both Tampa Bay runs.
The Rays made it interesting in the ninth inning, scoring a run against closer Trevor Megill to pull within one. Megill held on to finish the game and earn the save.
Game 1 standouts:
- Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers): The hard-throwing starter earned the win, allowing one run over five innings.
- Milwaukee’s bullpen: Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined for three scoreless innings and five strikeouts.
- Jackson Chourio and William Contreras (Brewers): Two hits and an RBI each.
- Jonathan Aranda (Rays): Three hits, the best day of any hitter on either side.
The Rays were held without a hit in six chances with runners in scoring position, which proved costly in a one-run game.
How the Brewers Got Here
The Brewers were the best team in baseball this season. They won a franchise-record 103 games, the most in the Major Leagues for the second straight year.
In the playoffs, they beat the San Diego Padres in four games in the National League Division Series. They then swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. First baseman Jake Bauers was named NLCS MVP.
This is only Milwaukee’s second World Series. The first came in 1982, when the Brewers were still in the American League and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.
How the Rays Got Here
The Rays won 98 games and earned the top seed in the American League, which gave them a bye through the first round.
They swept the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and then beat the Cleveland Guardians in six games in the American League Championship Series. Pitcher Freddy Peralta was named ALCS MVP.
This is Tampa Bay’s third World Series appearance after trips in 2008 and 2020. The Rays lost both, so they are also chasing their first title.
Brewers vs Rays by the Numbers
| Milwaukee Brewers | Tampa Bay Rays | |
| League | National League | American League |
| 2026 regular season | 103-59 | 98-64 |
| Division Series | Beat Padres in 4 games | Swept Yankees |
| Championship Series | Swept Dodgers | Beat Guardians in 6 games |
| League Championship MVP | Jake Bauers | Freddy Peralta |
| World Series appearances | 2 (1982, 2026) | 3 (2008, 2020, 2026) |
| World Series titles | 0 | 0 |
World Series 2026 Key Players to Watch
World Series 2026: Key Players to Watch
Milwaukee Brewers
- Jackson Chourio, outfielder: One of the most exciting young players in the game, with speed and power.
- Jacob Misiorowski, pitcher: His high-velocity fastball makes him one of the toughest pitchers to face in the playoffs.
- William Contreras, catcher: A steady bat in the middle of the lineup.
- Jake Bauers, first baseman: The NLCS MVP has been one of Milwaukee’s hottest hitters this October.
Tampa Bay Rays
- Junior Caminero, third baseman: The Rays’ young slugger can change a game with one swing.
- Yandy Díaz, designated hitter: A disciplined hitter who rarely gives away an at-bat.
- Freddy Peralta, pitcher: The ALCS MVP will be key if the Rays are to win games on the road.
- Drew Rasmussen, pitcher: A big part of a pitching staff that carried Tampa Bay all season.
Brewers vs Rays: What to Expect
Both teams in the World Series 2026 are built on pitching, defense and smart play rather than big spending. That helps explain why Game 1 was so tight, and why many of the remaining games could be decided by a single run.
The Brewers won two of three games against the Rays in their regular season meeting at the start of the season, allowing no more than three runs in any of those games.
Milwaukee’s strength is its deep bullpen, which can shorten games once the Brewers have a lead. Tampa Bay will look to its starting pitchers and its ability to manufacture runs with speed and timely hitting. The middle three games in Tampa Bay could decide the series.
Ahead of Game 2, data from SportRadar gave Milwaukee a slight edge, with a 52.5% chance of winning that game, a reminder of how evenly matched these teams are.
World Series 2026 MVP Contenders
World Series 2026 MVP Contenders
Early contenders based on the supplied Game 1 recap and reported October form. This is not an official ranking.
The World Series MVP award usually goes to a player who delivers big hits or dominant starts over several games. Based on the series so far and their form this October, these players are the early names to watch:
- Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers): Already has a win in Game 1 and could start again later in the series.
- Jackson Chourio (Brewers): Two hits in Game 1 and capable of changing games with his speed and power.
- Jake Bauers (Brewers): The NLCS MVP would be a fitting choice if his hot streak continues.
- Junior Caminero (Rays): The Rays’ best power hitter, who could swing the series with one big night.
- Jonathan Aranda (Rays): Led all hitters with three hits in Game 1.
Game 2 Preview
Game 2 is Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee. The Brewers can take a 2-0 lead in the World Series 2026 before the series moves to Tampa Bay, while the Rays want to split the two road games and head home with momentum.
The Rays’ biggest problem in Game 1 was hitting with runners in scoring position, where they went hitless in six chances. If those hits start to fall, the series could quickly turn. For Milwaukee, the formula is simple: score early and hand a lead to the bullpen.
A First-Time Champion
Whoever wins the World Series 2026, a city will celebrate its first title. Milwaukee has waited since the team was founded in 1969 (it moved to Milwaukee in 1970), and the Rays have been chasing a title since their first season in 1998.
You can find the full season story, standings and playoff bracket on the 2026 Major League Baseball season page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is playing in the World Series 2026?
The Milwaukee Brewers of the National League are playing the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League.
Who won Game 1 of the 2026 World Series?
The Brewers beat the Rays 3-2 on October 23 to take a 1-0 series lead.
What time is the World Series on tonight?
Every game starts at 8 p.m. ET, which is 5 p.m. PT.
What channel is the World Series on?
All games air on Fox and Fox Deportes, with streaming on Fox One.
When is Game 7 of the 2026 World Series?
If needed, Game 7 will be played on Saturday, October 31, in Milwaukee.
Have the Brewers or Rays ever won the World Series?
No. Neither team has won a World Series, so 2026 will produce a first-time champion.
Sources: MLB.com, SportRadar game data, ESPN, Wikipedia
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