When does the World Series start in 2021? Game 1 date, TV schedule for Braves vs. Astros

Edward Sutelan

When does the World Series start in 2021? Game 1 date, TV schedule for Braves vs. Astros image

The World Series matchup is officially set.

The Braves held off the Dodgers after taking a 3-1 lead in the series, closing out Game 6 to take the series 4-2. The Astros came back after falling behind 2-1 against the Red Sox by winning three straight games to close out the ALCS and head to their third World Series in five years.

The World Series was already scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 26, regardless of the outcome of the ALCS and NLCS, but neither series lasting the full seven games means each team should come into the Fall Classic feeling a bit more well rested. The Braves will have had a full two days off, while Houston will have had three days off. 

Sporting News has you covered with all the information you need to be ready for the start of the series, with the dates for each game, TV channels and full 2021 postseason bracket and results.

MORE: Watch the World Series live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

When does the World Series start?

  • Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 26
  • Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 27
  • Game 3: Friday, Oct. 29
  • Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 30
  • Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 31
  • Game 6: Tuesday, Nov. 1
  • Game 7: Wednesday, Nov. 3

The World Series kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 26, with the Astros set to host the Braves. Since Houston had the better record, it will host Games 1 and 2, as well as 6 and 7 if necessary. The Braves will host Games 4, 5 and 6 in Atlanta.

Each game will start around 8:10 p.m. ET, with Fox handling the broadcast for each game.

World Series schedule 2021

Every World Series game will be on Fox.

Date Game Start time TV channel
Tue., Oct. 26 Braves at Astros, Game 1 8:09 p.m. Fox
Wed., Oct. 27 Braves at Astros, Game 2 8:09 p.m. Fox
Fri., Oct. 29 Astros at Braves, Game 3 8:09 p.m. Fox
Sat., Oct. 30 Astros at Braves, Game 4 8:09 p.m. Fox
Sun., Oct. 31 Astros at Braves, Game 5* 8:15 p.m. Fox
Tue., Nov. 2 Braves at Astros, Game 6* 8:09 p.m. Fox
Wed., Nov. 3 Braves at Astros, Game 7* 8:09 p.m. Fox

*If necessary.

MLB postseason bracket

MLB-Postseason-102421-MLB

Here's a look at the paths these two teams took to reach the Fall Classic.

The Braves had to get past the NL Central champion Brewers in the NLDS and the NL wild-card Dodgers in the NLCS. The Astros took down the AL Central champion White Sox and the AL wild-card Red Sox to arrive at the World Series.

MLB playoff schedule, results

National League

Wild-card game

Date Game Start time TV channel Result
Wed., Oct. 6 Cardinals at Dodgers 8:10 p.m. TBS 3-1, LAD

Division Series

TBS will handle the broadcast for all NLDS games in both series.

Date Game Start time TV channel Result
Fri., Oct. 8 Dodgers at Giants, Game 1 9:37 p.m. TBS 4-0, SF
Fri., Oct. 8 Braves at Brewers, Game 1 4:37 p.m. TBS 2-1, MIL
Sat., Oct. 9 Dodgers at Giants, Game 2 9:07 p.m. TBS 9-2, LAD
Sat., Oct. 9 Braves at Brewers, Game 2 5:07 p.m. TBS 3-0, ATL
Mon., Oct. 11 Giants at Dodgers, Game 3 9:37 p.m. TBS 1-0, SF
Mon., Oct. 11 Brewers at Braves, Game 3 1:07 p.m. TBS 3-0, ATL
Tue., Oct. 12 Giants at Dodgers, Game 4 9:07 p.m. TBS 7-2, LAD
Tue., Oct. 12 Brewers at Braves, Game 4 5:15 p.m. TBS 5-4, ATL
Thu., Oct. 14 Dodgers at Giants, Game 5 9:07 p.m. TBS 2-1, LAD

Championship Series

TBS will continue its National League playoff coverage with coverage of every NLCS game.

Date Game Start time TV channel Result
Sat., Oct. 16 Dodgers at Braves, Game 1 8:07 p.m. TBS 3-2, ATL
Sun., Oct. 17 Dodgers at Braves, Game 2 7:38 p.m. TBS 5-4, ATL
Tue., Oct. 19 Braves at Dodgers, Game 3 5:08 p.m. TBS 6-5, LAD
Wed., Oct. 20 Braves at Dodgers, Game 4 8:08 p.m. TBS 9-2, ATL
Thu., Oct. 21 Braves at Dodgers, Game 5 8:08 p.m. TBS 11-2, LAD
Sat., Oct. 23 Dodgers at Braves, Game 6 8:08 p.m. TBS 4-2, ATL

American League

Wild-card game

Date Game Start time TV channel Result
Tue., Oct. 5 Yankees at Red Sox 8:08 p.m. ESPN 6-2, BOS

Division Series

MLB Network and FS1 will carry all the ALDS games, until potential Game 5s, which would be broadcast exclusively on FS1.

Date Game Start time TV channel Result
Thu., Oct. 7 Red Sox at Rays, Game 1 8:07 p.m. FS1 5-0, TB
Thu., Oct. 7 White Sox at Astros, Game 1 4:07 p.m. FS1 6-1, HOU
Fri., Oct. 8 Red Sox at Rays, Game 2 7:02 p.m. FS1 14-6, BOS
Fri., Oct. 8 White Sox at Astros, Game 2 2:07 p.m. MLB Network 9-4, HOU
Sun., Oct. 10 Rays at Red Sox, Game 3 4:07 p.m. MLB Network 6-4 (13), BOS
Sun., Oct. 10 Astros at White Sox, Game 3 8:07 p.m. FS1 12-6, CHI
Mon., Oct. 11 Rays at Red Sox, Game 4 7:07 p.m. FS1 6-5, BOS
Tue., Oct. 12 Astros at White Sox, Game 4 2:07 p.m. FS1 10-1, HOU

Championship Series

Fox and FS1 will split coverage of the ALCS.

Date Game Start time TV channel Result
Fri., Oct. 15 Red Sox at Astros, Game 1 8:07 p.m. Fox 5-4, HOU
Sat., Oct. 16 Red Sox at Astros, Game 2 4:20 p.m. Fox 9-5, BOS
Mon., Oct. 18 Astros at Red Sox, Game 3 8:07 p.m. Fox/FS1 12-3, BOS
Tue., Oct. 19 Astros at Red Sox, Game 4 8:08 p.m. FS1 9-2, HOU
Wed., Oct. 20 Astros at Red Sox, Game 5 5:08 p.m. FS1 9-1, HOU
Fri., Oct. 22 Red Sox at Astros, Game 6 8:08 p.m. FS1 5-0, HOU

World Series schedule

Every World Series game will be on Fox.

Date Game Start time TV channel
Tue., Oct. 26 Braves at Astros, Game 1 8:09 p.m. Fox
Wed., Oct. 27 Braves at Astros, Game 2 8:09 p.m. Fox
Fri., Oct. 29 Astros at Braves, Game 3 8:09 p.m. Fox
Sat., Oct. 30 Astros at Braves, Game 4 8:09 p.m. Fox
Sun., Oct. 31 Astros at Braves, Game 5* 8:15 p.m. Fox
Tue., Nov. 2 Braves at Astros, Game 6* 8:09 p.m. Fox
Wed., Nov. 3 Braves at Astros, Game 7* 8:09 p.m. Fox

*If necessary.

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.