If you think you know the rhythm of the baseball season, 2026 is about to punch you in the gut—in the best way possible. Honestly, we’re looking at a year where the "World Series" label is getting pulled in two different directions. You’ve got the traditional Fall Classic, sure. But before we even get to summer, there’s the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), which basically functions as a spring World Series for the entire planet.
It's a lot.
The next game World Series action actually kicks off much earlier than usual. Because of the WBC, the MLB is shifting its gears, and the stakes for the actual October World Series have never felt higher, especially with the Los Angeles Dodgers seemingly trying to buy every talented human being with a glove.
The "Spring" World Series: WBC 2026
Before we talk about October, we have to talk about March. The World Baseball Classic is the closest thing baseball has to the World Cup, and the 2026 iteration is shaping up to be a monster.
Japan is the defending champ. Remember that Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout showdown in 2023? That wasn't a fever dream. It happened. And the 2026 version is coming back to four major hubs: Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami.
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Mark your calendars for March 5, 2026. That's when the first pitch of this global tournament happens at the Tokyo Dome.
Where the games are happening
- Pool A: San Juan, Puerto Rico (Hiram Bithorn Stadium)
- Pool B: Houston, Texas (Daikin Park — formerly Minute Maid)
- Pool C: Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Dome)
- Pool D: Miami, Florida (loanDepot park)
If you're looking for the "main event" feel, Miami is the place to be. They aren't just hosting a pool; they’ve got the semifinals and the actual Championship Game on March 17, 2026. St. Patrick’s Day with a world title on the line? The atmosphere in Little Havana is going to be absolutely feral.
The 2026 MLB World Series: Dates and Chaos
Now, let's talk about the big one. The 122nd edition of the Major League Baseball World Series.
MLB released the 2026 schedule back in August of '25, and it’s a bit of a weird one. Opening Day is March 26—the earliest ever—partly to compensate for the WBC and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is going to be hogging stadiums across North America.
The 2026 World Series is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 23, 2026. If the series goes the distance, Game 7 will fall on Halloween night, October 31. Imagine a winner-take-all game while kids are out trick-or-treating. It’s either a dream or a nightmare, depending on if your team is the one blowing a lead in the 9th.
The Elephant in the Room: The Dodgers' "Superteam"
We have to talk about the odds. Kinda crazy, but as of mid-January 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers are sitting at roughly +225 odds to win the whole thing.
Why? Because they just signed Kyle Tucker to a massive $240 million deal.
They already had Ohtani. They already had Betts and Freeman. Adding Tucker basically turns their lineup into a video game cheat code. Most experts, including the folks over at BetMGM, are giving them about a 31% chance to win the title before the first pitch of spring training has even been thrown. That is the highest preseason probability since the 2003 Yankees.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2026
People keep asking about the "London Series" for 2026. Here's the truth: It’s not happening. MLB had to cancel the 2026 London games because of the World Cup. The logistical nightmare of trying to prep London Stadium for baseball while the world’s biggest soccer tournament is happening was just too much.
Instead, we’re getting the Mexico City Series on April 25-26. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are heading to Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú. If you’ve never seen a game there, the ball flies. It's like Coors Field on steroids.
Key Dates for the 2026 Season
- March 25: Opening Night (Giants vs. Yankees - a weird standalone start!)
- July 14: All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia (250th anniversary of the USA)
- August 13: Field of Dreams game in Iowa (Twins vs. Phillies)
- September 29: Postseason begins
- October 23: World Series Game 1
How to Watch the Next Game World Series
Streaming is getting even more fragmented. It's annoying, I know.
For the WBC in March, FOX Media has the rights. You'll find games on FOX, FS1, and their new streaming platform, FOX One. If you're in Japan, Netflix is actually the place to go for local language broadcasts.
For the MLB World Series in October, it’s still the Fox-centric world we've lived in for years. However, keep an eye on Apple TV+. They are keeping their "Friday Night Baseball" slots, and there’s talk of them getting even more aggressive with postseason simulcasts.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
If you actually want to attend these games or stay ahead of the curve, don't wait until summer.
- WBC Tickets: Single-game tickets for the Houston and Miami pools went on sale January 15, 2026. If you haven't checked the secondary markets yet, do it now. The Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela game in Miami is already trending toward a sell-out.
- All-Star Game Access: Since the game is in Philly for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, hotel prices are already tripling. Book your stay in Center City now, or you'll be staying in a motel an hour away.
- The "Roadblock" Event: Keep an eye on July 5. NBC is doing a special "Roadblock" day where every single MLB game played will be exclusive to NBC Sports platforms (Peacock/NBCSN). If you don't have a login, you're going to be staring at a blank screen that Sunday.
The road to the next game World Series is long, but it’s packed with more international flavor and high-tech "superteam" drama than we've seen in decades. Whether you're rooting for a global underdog in March or the Dodgers' juggernaut in October, the schedule is set.
Pro Tip: If you're betting the futures market, look at the Seattle Mariners at +1300. Their pitching rotation is the only thing currently projected to actually slow down that LA lineup.