Find out everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 MLB season.
MLB 2026 dates
The MLB regular season is scheduled to begin on 25th March 2026 and will conclude on 29th September 2026.
The World Series usually starts at the end of October.
MLB 2026 schedule & structure
The MLB is made up of two leagues, the American League and the National League.
Each league has 15 teams and both leagues are divided into three separate divisions: East, Central, and West. Each of these divisions contains five teams.
Each team will play 162 games during the regular season, once this has been completed, six teams from each league advance to a postseason tournament.
These six teams will include the three division winners and three wild card teams in each league. The Wildcard teams are made up of the three teams with the best records among the non-division winners.
The tournament culminates in the World Series, a best-of-seven series between the champions of the American League and National League.
MLB 2026 teams
The same 30 teams remain for the 2026 MLB season:
American League
American League East
- Toronto Blue Jays
- New York Yankees
- Boston Red Sox
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Baltimore Orioles
American League Central
Cleveland Guardians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox
American League West
Seattle Mariners
Houston Astros
Texas Rangers
Athletics
Los Angeles Angels
National League
National League East
Philadelphia Phillies
New York Mets
Miami Marlins
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals
National League Central
Milwaukee Brewers
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
St Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
National League West
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
MLB history
Major League Baseball (MLB) began in 1969 when the first professional team - the Cincinnati Red Stockings - were formed.
The National League - founded in 1876 - and the American League - founded in 1901 - joined forced in 1903 to form the MLB, with the first World Series taking place that year, won by the Boston Americans.
Over time, the MLB expanded from 16 to 30 sides.
The New York Yankees are by far the most successful side, having won 27 World Series titles.
MLB Division Title previous winners
Atlanta Braves & Los Angeles Dodgers | 23 |
New York Yankees | 21 |
Athletics | 17 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 15 |
Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Minnesota Tiwns & Philadelphia Phillies | 13 |
Baltimore Orioles. Boston Red Sox & Cincinnati Reds | 10 |
Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates & San Francisco Giants | 9 |
Chicago Cubs | 8 |
Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers & Toronto Blue Jays | 7 |
Chicago White Sox & New York Mets | 6 |
Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres & Washington Nationals | 5 |
Seattle Mariners & Tampa Bay Rays | 4 |
Colorado Rockies & Miami Marlins | 0 |
World Series Previous Winners
New York Yankees | 27 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 11 |
Athletics & Boston Red Sox | 9 |
Los Angeles Dodgers & San Francisco Giants | 8 |
Cincinnati Reds & Pittsburgh Pirates | 5 |
Detroit Tigers & Atlanta Braves | 4 |
Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles. Minnesota Twins & Chicago White Sox | 3 |
Philadelphia Phillies. Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays & Miami Marlins | 2 |
Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels & Washington Nationals | 1 |
San Diego Padres. Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies & Seattle Mariners | 0 |
