Last updated: October 1, 2026. The road to the World Series runs through the League Championship Series. The NLCS opens Sunday, October 11 and the ALCS follows Monday, October 12, both best-of-seven. Below is the full game-by-game schedule and TV for each series, how the format works, and a free printable best-of-seven tracker you can fill in once the Division Series sets the matchups.
2026 MLB LCS: Quick Facts
- NLCS Game 1: Sunday, October 11 (FOX / FS1)
- ALCS Game 1: Monday, October 12 (TBS / truTV / HBO Max)
- Format: best-of-seven, 2-3-2 home-field format
- Winners advance to: the World Series, which starts Friday, October 23 on FOX
- Matchups set: once the Division Series rounds finish (around October 9-10)
NLCS Schedule and TV
| Game | Date | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sun, Oct 11 | FOX / FS1 |
| Game 2 | Mon, Oct 12 | FOX / FS1 |
| Game 3 | Wed, Oct 14 | FOX / FS1 |
| Game 4 | Thu, Oct 15 | FOX / FS1 |
| Game 5* | Fri, Oct 16 | FOX / FS1 |
| Game 6* | Sun, Oct 18 | FOX / FS1 |
| Game 7* | Mon, Oct 19 | FOX / FS1 |
*Games 5, 6 and 7 are played only if necessary. All NLCS games also stream on FOX Deportes and FOX One.
ALCS Schedule and TV
| Game | Date | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Mon, Oct 12 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Game 2 | Tue, Oct 13 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Game 3 | Thu, Oct 15 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Game 4 | Fri, Oct 16 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Game 5* | Sat, Oct 17 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Game 6* | Mon, Oct 19 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
| Game 7* | Tue, Oct 20 | TBS / truTV / HBO Max |
*Games 5, 6 and 7 are played only if necessary. All ALCS games also stream on UniMas and HBO Max.
How the LCS Format Works
Each League Championship Series is a best-of-seven, so the first team to four wins advances to the World Series. Games follow the 2-3-2 format: the team with home-field advantage hosts Games 1, 2, 6 and 7, while the opponent hosts Games 3, 4 and 5. Home-field in the LCS goes to the higher remaining seed. The NLCS winner and ALCS winner then meet in the World Series beginning October 23.
Download the Printable LCS Series Tracker (PDF)
Follow both pennant races on one page. This printable best-of-seven tracker has a game-by-game grid for the ALCS and the NLCS with dates, score lines and a series box, ready to fill in as the matchups lock and the games play out.
Who Is In? The 2026 Postseason Field
The LCS matchups are set when the Division Series finish. Here is the full bracket feeding in, by seed:
- American League: 1. Rays, 2. Guardians, 3. Astros, 4. Yankees, 5. Red Sox, 6. White Sox
- National League: 1. Brewers, 2. Dodgers, 3. Braves, 4. Padres, 5. Cubs, 6. Phillies
The top two seeds in each league earned a first-round bye straight into the Division Series, with the Dodgers chasing a third straight title. We will update the matchups here as soon as each Division Series is decided.
More MLB Postseason Tools from Sports Brackets
Track every round: the full 2026 MLB postseason printable bracket, the Division Series Bo5 tracker, the World Series tracker, the full postseason TV schedule, and the playoff schedule and matchup hub. Find every printable bracket and schedule at SportsBrackets.net.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 MLB LCS start?
The NLCS begins Sunday, October 11 and the ALCS begins Monday, October 12. Both are best-of-seven series.
What channel is the LCS on?
The NLCS airs on FOX and FS1 (also FOX Deportes and FOX One). The ALCS airs on TBS, truTV and HBO Max (also UniMas).
What is the LCS format?
Both League Championship Series are best-of-seven in a 2-3-2 home format. The first team to four wins advances to the World Series, which starts October 23.
