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2026 LLWS: Full Schedule, Scores & Every TV Channel
2026 Little League World Series: Everything You Need to Know
Hey there, baseball and softball fans! The biggest youth sports event of the summer is here. The 2026 Little League World Series brings together the best young players from around the globe for two amazing tournaments. Whether you’re a parent, a coach, or just love watching kids play with heart, this guide has you covered.
What Is the Little League World Series?
Think of it like the Super Bowl for kids aged 10–12. There are actually two separate tournaments happening:
| Tournament | Number of Teams | Location | Main Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS) | 20 teams | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | August 19 – 30 |
| Little League Softball World Series (LLSWS) | 12 teams | Greenville, North Carolina | August 2 – 9 |
Quick ELI5 breakdown:
- Regional tournaments happen first (like playoffs) to decide who goes to the big show.
- Williamsport is the historic home of Little League Baseball — it’s where the dream started in 1939.
- Greenville hosts the softball championship for the first time in 2026!
Key Dates at a Glance
Mark your calendar! These are the can’t-miss moments:
- July 17 – Softball regional coverage begins on ESPN
- August 2–9 – Softball World Series in Greenville, NC
- August 6 – Baseball regional coverage begins on ESPN
- August 6–14 – Baseball U.S. Regional Tournaments (across 10 sites)
- August 19–30 – Baseball World Series in Williamsport, PA
- August 23 – MLB Little League Classic: Brewers vs. Braves at Bowman Field (Williamsport)
- August 30 – Baseball Championship Game on ABC
How to Watch Every Game
All games air on ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ABC). You can stream them too:
| Sport | Watch Link |
|---|---|
| Baseball | ESPN Baseball Stream |
| Softball | ESPN Softball Stream |
Pro tip: Bookmark these links! Games run all day, so you can tune in whenever.
Little League Softball World Series Schedule
All times ET | Greenville, NC | August 2–9
Opening Weekend (Aug 2–3)
| Date | Time | Game | Matchup | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2 | 10:00 AM | Game 1 | Northwest vs. Southeast | ESPN2 |
| 1:00 PM | Game 2 | Mid-Atlantic vs. Asia-Pacific | ESPN2 | |
| 4:00 PM | Game 3 | West vs. Central | ESPN2 | |
| 7:00 PM | Game 4 | Canada vs. North Carolina (host) | ESPN2 | |
| Aug 3 | 10:00 AM | Game 5 | Latin America vs. TBD | ESPN2 |
| 1:00 PM | Game 6 | Europe-Africa vs. TBD | ESPN2 | |
| 4:00 PM | Game 7 | Southwest vs. TBD | ESPN2 | |
| 7:00 PM | Game 8 | New England vs. TBD | ESPN2 |
Middle Rounds (Aug 4–7)
| Date | Time | Games | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 4 | 10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM, 7 PM | Games 9–12 | ESPN2 (all) |
| Aug 5 | 10 AM, 1 PM | Games 13–14 | ESPN2 (all) |
| Aug 6 | 1 PM, 5 PM | Games 15–16 | ESPN (all) |
| Aug 7 | 3 PM, 6 PM | Games 17–18 | ESPN2 (all) |
Championship Weekend (Aug 8–9)
| Date | Time | Game | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8 | 3 PM | Game 19: Orange Bracket Final | ESPN2 |
| 6 PM | Game 20: Purple Bracket Final | ESPN | |
| Aug 9 | 10 AM | Consolation Game (3rd place) | ESPN |
| 3 PM | World Series Championship | ABC |
What’s a “bracket”?
Teams are split into two groups (Orange & Purple). Winners of each bracket meet in the championship!
Little League Baseball U.S. Regional Tournaments
Winners advance to Williamsport | August 6–14
| Region | Location | Dates | Championship Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes | Whitestown, IN | Aug 8–12 | Aug 12, 7 PM (ESPN2) |
| Metro | Bristol, CT | Aug 8–14 | Aug 14, 7 PM (ESPN) |
| Mid-Atlantic | Bristol, CT | Aug 9–14 | Aug 14, 3 PM (ESPN) |
| Midwest | Whitestown, IN | Aug 7–14 | Aug 14, 1 PM (ESPN) |
| Mountain | San Bernardino, CA | Aug 8–14 | Aug 14, 5 PM (ESPN) |
| New England | Bristol, CT | Aug 8–13 | Aug 13, 7 PM (ESPN) |
| Northwest | San Bernardino, CA | Aug 8–13 | Aug 13, 9 PM (ESPN) |
| Southeast | Warner Robins, GA | Aug 6–11 | Aug 11, 3 PM (ESPN) |
| Southwest | Waco, TX | Aug 6–11 | Aug 11, 7 PM (ESPN2) |
| West | San Bernardino, CA | Aug 9–14 | Aug 14, 9 PM (ESPN) |
ELI5: What’s a “regional”?
The U.S. is split into 10 regions. Each region holds its own mini-tournament. The winner gets a ticket to Williamsport!
Little League Baseball World Series Schedule
Williamsport, PA | August 19–30 | All times ET
Round 1: Opening Games (Aug 19–20)
| Date | Time | Game | Matchup | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19 | 1 PM | Game 1 | Latin America vs. Caribbean | ESPN |
| 3 PM | Game 2 | Southeast vs. Northwest | ESPN | |
| 5 PM | Game 3 | Canada vs. Asia-Pacific | ESPN | |
| 7 PM | Game 4 | Metro vs. New England | ESPN | |
| Aug 20 | 12 PM | Game 5 | Australia vs. Mexico | ESPN |
| 2 PM | Game 6 | Great Lakes vs. Mountain | ESPN | |
| 4 PM | Game 7 | Curaçao vs. Japan | ESPN | |
| 6 PM | Game 8 | West vs. Midwest | ESPN2 |
Round 2 & Beyond (Aug 21–26)
| Date | Games | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21 | Games 9–12 (1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM) | ESPN (all) |
| Aug 22 | Games 13–16 (1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM) | ESPN (all) |
| Aug 23 | Games 17–20 (9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM) + MLB Classic at 7:10 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| Aug 24 | Games 21–24 (1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM) | ESPN (all) |
| Aug 25 | Games 25–28 (1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM) | ESPN (all) |
| Aug 26 | Games 29–32 (1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM) | ESPN (all) |
Final Weekend (Aug 27, 29–30)
| Date | Time | Game | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 27 | 3 PM | Game 33 | ESPN |
| 7 PM | Game 34 | ESPN | |
| Aug 29 | 12:30 PM | International Championship | ABC |
| 3:30 PM | U.S. Championship | ABC | |
| Aug 30 | 10 AM | Consolation Game | ESPN |
| 3 PM | WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP | ABC |
International vs. U.S.?
The 20 teams include 10 U.S. regional champs + 10 international champs. They play in separate brackets until the final!
Special Event: MLB Little League Classic
August 23 | 7:10 PM ET | Bowman Field, Williamsport | ESPN
Major Leaguers become kids again!
The Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves will play a real MLB game at historic Bowman Field — right in the heart of Little League country.
- Players arrive on school buses (just like Little Leaguers!)
- They sit in the stands and watch the kids’ games
- It’s a celebration of the game’s purest joy
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- All times are Eastern Time (ET) — adjust for your zone!
- Championship games are on ABC (free over-the-air TV).
- Regional tournaments decide who goes to Williamsport — watch your local team’s journey!
- Full official coverage: LittleLeague.org/World-Series
Summary
The 2026 Little League World Series is a month-long festival of youth baseball and softball:
- Softball kicks off first (Aug 2–9 in Greenville, NC) — 12 teams, two brackets, one champion.
- Baseball regionals run Aug 6–14 across 10 U.S. sites — winners punch tickets to Williamsport.
- Baseball World Series takes over Williamsport Aug 19–30 — 20 teams, international flavor, dramatic finals on ABC.
- Don’t miss the MLB Little League Classic (Aug 23) — big leaguers honoring the little league dream.
Grab some popcorn, pick a team, and enjoy the magic!
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between the Baseball and Softball World Series?
They’re separate tournaments for different sports. Baseball has 20 teams (10 U.S., 10 international); Softball has 12 teams. Both use double-elimination brackets until the finals.
2. Can I attend games in person?
Yes! Tickets are free for most Little League World Series games in Williamsport and Greenville (first-come, first-served). The MLB Classic at Bowman Field requires a ticket — check MLB.com for details.
3. Who won last year?
Chinese Taipei won the 2025 Baseball World Series — their 18th title! For softball, check last year’s results.
4. How are teams chosen?
Leagues hold local tournaments → district → section → state → regional. Regional winners go to the World Series. International teams follow similar paths in their countries.
5. What does “TBD” mean in the schedule?
“To Be Determined.” It means the opponent hasn’t been decided yet — usually because the previous game hasn’t finished or the bracket isn’t set.
Want more?
Play ball!
