MLB Postseason 2026: The Road to the World Series Begins
Major League Baseball’s regular season is almost over, and the most exciting part of the baseball calendar is about to begin.
With the regular season scheduled to conclude on September 27, 2026, baseball fans are getting ready for October baseball and the race toward the 2026 World Series.
The MLB postseason begins with the Wild Card Series on September 29, followed by the Division Series, League Championship Series and ultimately the World Series.
The 2026 MLB Playoff Picture
The 2026 postseason field will feature 12 teams — six from the American League and six from the National League.
Each league sends three division winners and three Wild Card teams into the postseason. The two division winners with the best records in each league receive a first-round bye, while the remaining eight teams compete in the best-of-three Wild Card Series.
The American League
The American League postseason race is coming down to the final games of the regular season. Several teams have secured postseason positions, while the final division races and seeding remain important heading into the final weekend.
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Cleveland Guardians
- Houston Astros
- New York Yankees
- Boston Red Sox
- Chicago White Sox
The final regular-season games will determine important playoff seeding and the remaining division races.
The National League
The National League postseason picture is also taking shape as the regular season reaches its conclusion.
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Atlanta Braves
- San Diego Padres
- Chicago Cubs
- Philadelphia Phillies
The final NL Wild Card position and playoff seeding remain important as teams finish the regular season.
The Wild Card Series Begins September 29
The first postseason games are scheduled for Tuesday, September 29.
The Wild Card Series is a best-of-three format, meaning teams must win two games to advance.
That makes the opening round particularly intense. There is no room for a slow start, and every pitch can become a season-defining moment.
Then Comes the Division Series
Once the Wild Card Series is complete, the postseason moves into the Division Series beginning October 3.
The Division Series is played in a best-of-five format.
At this point, the teams that survived the Wild Card round will face the league’s top seeds, and the race toward the League Championship Series begins.
The Road to the World Series
After the Division Series comes the League Championship Series.
The American League champion and National League champion will eventually meet in the 2026 World Series, with baseball’s championship ultimately decided on the biggest stage of the season.
Baseball Fans Have Plenty to Watch
The final weekend of the regular season is packed with important games and playoff implications.
Who will win the remaining division races? Who will claim the final Wild Card positions? How will the final seeds affect the Wild Card matchups?
Those questions will be answered as the regular season comes to a close.
Washington, DC and Northern Virginia Baseball Fans
For baseball fans in Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC area, postseason baseball is another great reason to get together with friends and family.
Whether you’re watching games at home, meeting friends at a local sports bar or planning a day of activities, October baseball creates plenty of opportunities to get together and enjoy the season.
And when you want to step away from the television and put yourself in the driver’s seat, there is another type of competition waiting at RPM Rush in Manassas.
Turn Baseball Competition Into Racing Competition
At RPM Rush, you don’t have to sit on the sidelines.
You get behind the wheel of a premium racing simulator and take control.
Our immersive simulation racing experience combines realistic force feedback with a triple-display setup, giving drivers a wide field of view and an immersive sense of speed, position and the racing environment.
Grab the wheel.
Choose your car.
Choose your track.
Then see what you can do.
Bring Your Friends and Race
Baseball is better with friends, and so is simulation racing.
Bring your friends together and turn your next outing into a friendly competition.
- Who can set the fastest lap?
- Who can handle the corners?
- Who can keep the car on the track?
- Who is going to claim bragging rights?
At RPM Rush, everyone gets a chance to compete.
Book Your RPM Rush Racing Experience
Follow the 2026 MLB Postseason
The MLB postseason begins September 29, and the road to the World Series is about to begin.
Follow the latest playoff matchups, schedules and results through the official MLB postseason page.
View the Official MLB Postseason Schedule
Whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan or simply looking for something fun to do with friends, October is a great time to get out, get together and enjoy some competition.
Watch the game. Then come create some competition of your own at RPM Rush.
Grab the wheel and race.
