Every fall, as the leaves change and the temperature drops, the Major League Baseball (MLB) season culminates in one of the most storied events in all of American sports: The World Series.
This championship series pits the winner of the American League against the winner of the National League in a final, dramatic showdown to crown the ultimate champion of baseball.
For weeks, it captures the attention of millions of baseball fans across the U.S. and beyond, as legacies are forged and curses are broken. But as the pennant races tighten and the playoffs get underway, every baseball enthusiast eventually asks the same critical question: How many games does it take to crown a champion?
How Many Games Are in the World Series? The Magic Number
To directly answer the question: The World Series is a best-of-seven playoff.1
This format is the standard for nearly all major North American sports championships and holds a special significance in baseball. What “best-of-seven” means is straightforward: the first team to achieve four wins is declared the World Series Champion.
This structure is what gives the series its thrilling unpredictability. It clarifies that the series will last a minimum of four games and a maximum of seven games:
- Four Games: If one team is dominant and wins four straight games (a “sweep”), the series ends quickly.
- Five or Six Games: If the teams trade a few wins, the champion is crowned a bit later.
- Seven Games: If the teams are perfectly matched, winning three games each, the final, winner-take-all contest—Game 7—is played, providing one of the highest-pressure moments in sports.
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2025 MLB World Series Schedule and Viewing Guide
Here is a summary of the upcoming 2025 MLB World Series schedule, incorporating the essential dates, the format, and key viewing information for fans:
| Game | Date | Day | Broadcast | Note |
| Game 1 | Oct 24 | Friday | CBS Sports+1 | Opening game of the series. |
| Game 2 | Oct 25 | Saturday | CBS Sports+1 | The second game, follows immediately. |
| Game 3 | Oct 27 | Monday | Reuters+1 | After a short break/travel day (switches venue). |
| Game 4 | Oct 28 | Tuesday | Reuters | Continues at the other team’s venue. |
| Game 5* | Oct 29 | Wednesday | CBS Sports+1 | If required (if neither team has clinched by then). |
| Game 6* | Oct 31 | Friday | Reuters | The second game following immediately. |
| Game 7* | Nov 1 | Saturday | CBS Sports | Final possible game in the best-of-seven. |
✅ Key Points to Remember for U.S. Fans
- Format: The World Series is a best-of-seven series — the first team to reach four wins is crowned the champion.
- Early Conclusion: If one team wins four games earlier (by Game 4, 5, or 6), the later scheduled games will not be played.
- U.S. Broadcast: The series will be aired primarily on FOX Broadcasting Company in the U.S. (The channels listed above in your schedule like CBS Sports+1 and Reuters, are often placeholders in preliminary schedules, but FOX is the exclusive national U.S. carrier.)
- Time Zones: All times listed are typically U.S. Eastern Time (ET) unless otherwise noted. Always check local listings for the exact start time in your area.
Why 7 Games? The History Behind It
The best-of-seven structure wasn’t immediately implemented. When the first modern World Series was played in 1903, it was a best-of-nine affair.2
However, the current best-of-seven structure has been the standard format for the World Series since 1922 (with brief exceptions during wartime years).
Why Best-of-Seven Endures:
- Ensuring Fairness and Consistency: Baseball is a sport of high variability; a single bad outing by a pitcher or a couple of lucky hits can decide a single game. A seven-game series ensures that the stronger, more consistent team has ample opportunity to prove its superiority. It’s much harder to win four out of seven games on luck than it is to win one out of three.
- Maximizing Excitement: A longer series allows for dramatic shifts in momentum, the development of compelling storylines, and the opportunity for heroes to emerge. It gives fans more baseball and increases the suspense leading up to the final, crucial games.
How the Schedule Works: The 2-3-2 Format
To balance travel demands while maintaining a high-stakes atmosphere, the World Series follows a fixed schedule rotation known as the 2-3-2 format:
| Games | Location | Travel/Rest Day |
| Games 1 & 2 | Home Ballpark of Team A | Day Off/Travel |
| Games 3, 4, & 5 | Home Ballpark of Team B | Day Off/Travel (If Game 6 is Needed) |
| Games 6 & 7 | Home Ballpark of Team A | Series Concludes |
Home-Field Advantage: The designation of “Team A” (the team that hosts Games 1, 2, 6, and 7) is determined by which World Series participant had the better regular-season record. This is a significant advantage, as the deciding Game 7 will always be played in front of that team’s home crowd.
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Memorable 7-Game World Series Moments
The true magic of the best-of-seven format shines brightest when the series goes the distance. These epic battles become part of baseball lore, showing why seven games is the ideal length:
- 2016: Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians: A legendary series where the Cubs clawed back from a 3-1 deficit to force a Game 7. They ultimately broke their infamous 108-year championship drought in an extra-inning thriller, cementing this series as one of the most emotional in sports history.
- 2019: Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros: This series was a remarkable display of parity and road dominance. In a bizarre twist of fate, every single game in the series was won by the visiting team. The Nationals secured the title by winning Game 7 on the road, a rare and thrilling outcome.
These examples underscore why a seven-game format is critical: it allows for the dramatic comebacks and unpredictable turns that define the World Series.
Conclusion: The Magic of Seven Games
The answer to “How many games are in the World Series?” is simple: up to seven.
But the story behind the number is far richer. The best-of-seven structure is more than just a number; it’s a time-tested format that ensures fairness, allows for dramatic swings in momentum, and keeps fans on edge from the first pitch to the final out.
Whether the series ends quickly in a four-game sweep or goes the full distance to a nail-biting, winner-take-all Game 7, the World Series remains the crown jewel of American baseball, producing legendary moments year after year.
6. FAQs About the World Series Format
Can the World Series end early?
Yes. If a team is dominant and wins four games before the opposing team can secure four victories, the series ends immediately. For example, a “sweep” means the series ends after Game 4.
Has there ever been a best-of-nine World Series?
Yes. The earliest World Series were indeed best-of-nine: in 1903, and then from 1919 through 1921.3 MLB adopted the best-of-seven format permanently in 1922, which has been the standard ever since.
How long does the World Series last in days?
The World Series typically spans 9 to 12 days. This includes the mandated travel and rest days that are built into the 2-3-2 schedule, ensuring players get adequate rest between cross-country flights and high-stakes games.