The 2026 World Series is set, and it guarantees a brand-new champion. The Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays — neither of whom has ever won the title — meet in the 122nd Fall Classic, the first World Series between two never-champion franchises since 1980. Game 1 is on Friday, October 23, in Milwaukee. Here is everything you need: the full schedule, how to watch, start times around the world, the latest ticket prices and odds, and how both teams got here.
Key Takeaways
- Game 1: Friday, October 23, 8:00 p.m. ET at American Family Field, Milwaukee — live on FOX.
- Milwaukee (103–59, MLB’s best record) holds home-field advantage; Tampa Bay (98–64) was the American League’s best team.
- The projected Game 1 pitching matchup is Jacob Misiorowski for Milwaukee against Drew Rasmussen for Tampa Bay — not yet formally announced by the clubs.
- Cheapest Game 1 resale tickets were listed from about $2,160–$2,890 on Tuesday, depending on the marketplace; Tampa Bay games start far lower, around $630–$800.
- The Brewers start as series favourites (around -155 to -165 at major sportsbooks).
Full Schedule
Every game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET and is televised on FOX (FOX Deportes in Spanish; streaming on FOX One and Fubo). Both stadiums have roofs, so weather delays are not expected.
- Game 1: Friday, October 23 — Tampa Bay at Milwaukee
- Game 2: Saturday, October 24 — Tampa Bay at Milwaukee
- Game 3: Monday, October 26 — Milwaukee at Tampa Bay (Tropicana Field)
- Game 4: Tuesday, October 27 — Milwaukee at Tampa Bay
- Game 5 (if needed): Wednesday, October 28 — Milwaukee at Tampa Bay
- Game 6 (if needed): Friday, October 30 — Tampa Bay at Milwaukee
- Game 7 (if needed): Saturday, October 31 — Tampa Bay at Milwaukee
Start times elsewhere: United Kingdom — 1:00 a.m. the following morning; Australia (Sydney) — 11:00 a.m. the following day; New Zealand — 1:00 p.m. the following day.
How the Brewers Got Here
Milwaukee, the National League’s top seed, swept the defending back-to-back champion Los Angeles Dodgers 4–0 in the NLCS, winning 2–1, 7–4, 6–2 and 6–4. The cost of finishing early is a long layoff: the Brewers have not played since October 15. Their one open roster question is veteran Brandon Woodruff, out since early July with a shoulder injury; the club’s owner has said a return in relief is “possible” after surprise healing, though other reports say he may be left off the roster because injury-replacement rules would prevent the Brewers swapping him out if the shoulder flares up.
How the Rays Got Here
Tampa Bay, the AL’s top seed, swept the New York Yankees in the ALDS, then beat Cleveland 4–2 in the ALCS after trailing the series 2–1 — winning the last three games, capped by a 7–3 victory in Game 6 on October 19, sealed by Yandy DÃaz’s two-run homer in the eighth inning. Freddy Peralta was named ALCS MVP. This is the Rays’ third World Series: they lost to Philadelphia in five games in 2008 and to the Dodgers in six in the neutral-site 2020 Series. For Milwaukee, remarkably, it is a first trip back since 1982, when the “Brew Crew” lost the Suds Series to St. Louis in seven games.
Ticket Prices
Demand in Milwaukee is extreme. On Tuesday, October 20, the cheapest Game 1 seats were listed from $2,162 on StubHub and around $2,860–$2,890 on Vivid Seats, with average Game 1 prices above $4,300. Games in St. Petersburg are much cheaper — from roughly $630 to $800. Prices move constantly, so check marketplaces close to game day.
Odds
Major sportsbooks opened Milwaukee as favourites: DraftKings listed the Brewers at -155 to win the series (Rays +135), BetMGM at -165 (+145), and prediction market Polymarket gave Milwaukee about a 64% chance. For Game 1, DraftKings had the Brewers at -160 with a low total of 6 runs — a nod to two strong pitching staffs.
Who Is Pitching Game 1?
The expected matchup — listed by every major outlet — is Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski (16–5, 1.80 ERA in the regular season) against Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen (16–5, 2.67 ERA, with just three earned runs allowed in three playoff starts). Neither club had formally announced its Game 1 starter at the time of writing, and starting lineups are also to be confirmed; this guide will be updated when they are.
Sources
- ESPN, 2026 MLB postseason schedule; NBC Sports, World Series preview, October 19–20, 2026
- USA Today, World Series schedule and ticket reporting, October 19–20, 2026
- New York Post, World Series ticket prices, October 20, 2026
- DraftKings Network and BetMGM odds via Herald Tribune, October 20, 2026
FAQs
When does the World Series start?
Game 1 is Friday, October 23, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET in Milwaukee.
What channel is the World Series on?
FOX in the United States, with Spanish coverage on FOX Deportes and streaming on FOX One and Fubo.
Have the Brewers or Rays ever won the World Series?
No — a first-time champion is guaranteed. Milwaukee’s only previous appearance was 1982; Tampa Bay lost in 2008 and 2020.
Who is favoured to win?
Milwaukee, at around -155 to -165 with major sportsbooks as of October 20.
