The 2026 World Series is about to begin and the winner is guaranteed to make franchise history.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are both among the handful of Major League Baseball teams that have never won a World Series title before. The distinction is about to change, beginning with Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 23, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

The Brewers are making their first World Series appearance since 1982 when they were still members of the American League. But they compiled the best record in baseball this season despite ranking among the middle-of-the-pack in MLB payroll and made their seventh playoff appearance in eight years. Milwaukee then swept the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers to finally get over the hump nearly 45 years after that original trip to the Fall Classic.

Here's more background on the Milwaukee Brewers history in the World Series:

Have the Milwaukee Brewers ever won a World Series?

No. The Brewers are one of five MLB franchises without a World Series title, along with the Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.

Milwaukee's lone previous World Series appearance occurred in 1982 when the Brewers were still in the American League.

Last Brewers World Series appearances

When does the World Series start?

Game 1 of the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23 at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

World Series schedule