Short answer: the 2026 MLB postseason runs from 29 September to 31 October, and it's split across three broadcasters: NBC and Peacock have every Wild Card game, TBS and HBO Max have the American League rounds, and Fox has the National League rounds and the World Series. The catch for streaming fans is that MLB.TV, which carried your regular season, doesn't show live postseason games in the US at all. To see a whole October, you need Peacock, HBO Max and Fox One, or a live-TV service with NBC, TBS and Fox.
At a glance
2026 MLB postseason
| Wild Card (29 Sep-1 Oct) | NBC, Peacock |
| AL rounds | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| NL rounds | Fox, FS1, Fox One |
| World Series (23-31 Oct) | Fox, Fox One |
| MLB.TV | No live postseason games in the US |
Round by round
MLB's published schedule for 2026, with the English-language US broadcasters for each round:
| Round | Dates | Format | TV and streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Series | 29 Sep - 1 Oct | Best of three | NBC, NBC Sports Network, Peacock |
| AL Division Series | 3 - 10 Oct | Best of five | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| NL Division Series | 3 - 10 Oct | Best of five | Fox, FS1, Fox One |
| ALCS | 11 - 20 Oct | Best of seven | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| NLCS | 11 - 20 Oct | Best of seven | Fox, FS1, Fox One |
| World Series | 23 - 31 Oct | Best of seven | Fox, Fox One |
Spanish-language coverage runs on Fox Deportes and Univision's networks. Later dates depend on how long each series lasts, so some scheduled games won't be needed.
Wild Card: NBC's first October
This is new for 2026. Under baseball's latest national deals, the Wild Card Series moved from ESPN to NBC, which shows every game across NBC, its new NBC Sports Network cable channel and Peacock.
Peacock carries all of it. Peacock Premium, at $12.99 a month, streams every Wild Card game, which makes it the simplest single route for the opening round. The cheaper Select tier has no live sport.
NBC games are also free over the air. Games on the NBC network itself can be watched with an antenna, though some games in a busy slate may be on the cable channel or Peacock only.
Wild Card games come thick and fast: up to four series running at once over three days. Peacock's app lets you switch between them easily, and a live-TV service with NBC Sports Network gives you a second route.
American League: TBS and HBO Max
The American League Division Series and ALCS stay with Warner Bros. Discovery's TBS, with overflow games on truTV. Every game also streams live on HBO Max.
HBO Max carries live sport on its plans in the US, which makes it the cheapest way to stream the AL rounds without a live-TV bundle. Check the plan: the service's tiers and prices have changed several times, and HBO Max has occasionally restricted live sport by plan.
Live-TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling and DirecTV carry TBS and truTV. Fubo doesn't carry Warner Bros. Discovery's channels, which matters here.
National League and the World Series: Fox
Fox has the National League Division Series and NLCS, split between the Fox network and FS1, and the World Series on Fox.
Fox One, Fox's streaming service, carries Fox and FS1, so it streams every NL game and the whole World Series. It launched in 2025 at about $20 a month. Our guide to Fox One covers the details.
Fox network games are free with an antenna, including the World Series. FS1 games need Fox One or a live-TV service.
Fox has been the US leader in 4K sport production, and big events such as the World Series have been available in 4K on supported services and devices. Check your service's listings; our 4K channels guide explains what to look for.
Why MLB.TV goes dark
MLB.TV is the league's out-of-market package, and since 2026 it's been sold through ESPN. During the regular season it's the backbone of many fans' viewing.
In the US, MLB.TV doesn't include live postseason games. Every playoff game is national television, owned by NBC, TBS or Fox, and those rights are exclusive. MLB.TV subscribers typically get postseason games on demand afterwards, and audio coverage continues in the MLB app.
So a fan who has relied on MLB.TV all summer needs a different setup for October. Our guide to MLB.TV blackout rules explains the regular-season restrictions.
The cheapest way to see it all
Because the postseason lasts about a month, month-by-month subscriptions work well: subscribe as your team's round begins, cancel when it's over.
| If you want | Cheapest licensed route |
|---|---|
| Wild Card only | Peacock Premium, one month |
| An AL team's run | Peacock, then HBO Max |
| An NL team's run | Peacock, then Fox One (or an antenna for Fox games) |
| World Series only | Antenna, free; or Fox One |
| Everything, one bill | A live-TV service with NBC, NBC Sports Network, TBS, truTV, Fox and FS1 |
Before relying on a live-TV service, check that it carries NBC Sports Network, which is new, and TBS, since carriage varies.
Unlicensed IPTV lists advertising every playoff game are not authorised by MLB or its broadcasters, and are least reliable on the busiest nights.
Outside the US
Outside the US, MLB.TV generally does include the postseason, including the World Series, although local broadcasters hold rights in some countries. In Canada, Sportsnet has traditionally carried the playoffs. In the UK and elsewhere, check MLB.TV and local sports broadcasters.
US services such as Peacock, HBO Max and Fox One are licensed for US viewers, and their terms restrict viewing from abroad.
Quick answers
When do the 2026 MLB playoffs start? The Wild Card Series begins on 29 September 2026, and the World Series is scheduled for 23 to 31 October.
Where can I stream the Wild Card games? On Peacock Premium, which carries every game, and on NBC and NBC Sports Network.
Where is the World Series on TV? On Fox, streaming on Fox One and live-TV services with Fox, and free over the air with an antenna.
Does MLB.TV show the playoffs? Not live in the US, where every postseason game is exclusive to national television. Outside the US, it generally does.
Can I watch the ALCS without cable? Yes, on HBO Max or a live-TV service carrying TBS and truTV.
Does Fubo carry the MLB playoffs? It carries Fox, FS1 and NBC in most markets but not TBS or truTV, so it misses the American League rounds.
Postseason schedules depend on series results, and streaming plans and carriage deals change often. Check each broadcaster's listings on the day. Checked September 2026.