World Series Format
The World Series is the annual championship of Major League Baseball (MLB) which is played between the American League (AL) champion team and the National League (NL) champion team.
The World Series champion is currently determined in a best-of-seven playoff with the games played in the champions team's host cities. Using a "2-3-2" playoff format, the games alternate between the home stadiums of the American League (AL) champion team and the National League (NL) champion team.
Home-field advantage in the World Series is determined by the participating teams regular season records. The team with the better record hosts Games 1, 2 ,6 and 7 with the opposing team hosting Games 3, 4 and 5. Games 5, 6 and 7 are only played if necessary. From 2003 to 2016, the winner of the MLB All-Star Game determined home-field advantage. Before that, home-field advantage alternated between the National and American League.
How is the designated hitter used in the World Series? Since 1973, baseball has operated with different rules for the National and American Leagues. While pitchers hit in the NL, a designated hitter is employed in the AL. During the World Series, as in interleague play during the regular season, the home team’s rules will be used.
2019 World Series Schedule
Game |
Match Up |
Dates ** |
Game 1 |
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros |
October 22 |
Game 2 |
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros |
October 23 |
Off |
Travel Day |
October 24 |
Game 3 |
Houston Astros at Washington Nationals |
October 25 |
Game 4 |
Houston Astros at Washington Nationals |
October 26 |
Game 5 * |
Houston Astros at Washington Nationals |
October 27 |
Off |
Travel Day |
October 28 |
Game 6 * |
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros |
October 29 |
Game 7 * |
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros |
October 30 |
|
|
|
* In Best of 7 Series, Games Only Played if Necessary |
** World Series Dates Subject to Change by Major League Baseball |
In a best of best-of-seven series, the first four games must be played with the final three games played if needed. Therefore we offer World Series Packages to World Series Games 1 & 2, located in one team's host city, and Games 3 & 4, located in the opposing team's host city. Games 5, 6 and 7 can be added and are fully refundable if they are not played.