The 2026 Junior League Baseball World Series is set to commence this weekend, bringing together some of the best youth baseball teams from around the world. This annual tournament, which showcases talented players aged 12 to 14, will take place in Taylor, Michigan, and promises to deliver exciting matchups as teams vie for the championship title.
Organized by Little League International, the Junior League Baseball World Series is one of 11 tournaments held under its auspices. The event allows teams from both the United States and international regions to compete, fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie among young athletes. Last year's tournament saw the Taichung Little League from Taiwan emerge victorious, defeating the Vine-Ingle Little League from Macon, Georgia, in a thrilling final.
This year's tournament will follow a similar format, with national and international teams competing in separate brackets until the championship game. This structure not only highlights the diverse talent present in youth baseball but also ensures that teams from different regions have a chance to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Fans eager to catch the action will need to tune in via streaming services, as the Junior League Baseball World Series will not be broadcast on traditional television. All games will be available for live streaming on ESPN+, allowing viewers to enjoy every moment of the tournament from the comfort of their homes. The ESPN app provides a convenient platform for fans to follow the games, making it easier than ever to stay connected with the tournament.
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, August 9, and runs through the following week, culminating in the championship game on Sunday, August 16. All matches will take place at Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan, where teams will battle it out for the coveted title. The complete schedule for the tournament is as follows:
Sunday, August 9
Game 1: Southeast vs. Central
Game 2: Mexico vs. Canada
Game 3: Michigan D5 vs. East
Game 4: Europe-Africa vs. Australia
Monday, August 10
Game 5: Asia-Pacific vs. Mexico
Game 6: West vs. Southeast
Game 7: Latin America vs. Europe-Africa
Game 8: Michigan D5 vs. Southwest
Tuesday, August 11
Game 9: Europe-Africa vs. Canada (Canada eliminated)
Game 10: Southeast vs. East (East eliminated)
Game 11: Mexico vs. Australia (Australia eliminated)
Game 12: Central vs. Southwest (Southwest eliminated)
Wednesday, August 12
Game 13: Europe-Africa vs. Mexico, 10 a.m. ET
Game 14: Southeast vs. Central, 1 p.m. ET
Game 15: Asia-Pacific vs. Latin America, 4 p.m. ET
Game 16: Michigan D5 vs. West, 7 p.m. ET
Thursday, August 13
Game 17: Loser of Game 15 vs. Winner of Game 13, 5 p.m. ET
Game 18: Loser of Game 16 vs. Winner of Game 14, 8 p.m. ET
Saturday, August 15
Game 19: Winner of Game 15 vs. Winner of Game 17, 3 p.m. ET
Game 20: Winner of Game 16 vs. Winner of Game 18, 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, August 16
Championship: Winner of Game 19 vs. Winner of Game 20, Noon ET
The 2026 Junior League Baseball World Series will feature 12 teams from various regions, including:
- Central: Elmhurst Youth Baseball LL, Elmhurst, IL
- East: Freehold Township LL, Freehold, NJ
- Michigan D5: Taylor North LL, Taylor, MI
- Southeast: Murfreesboro LL, Murfreesboro, TN
- Southwest: Roadrunner LL, Albuquerque, NM
- West: La Mirada LL, La Mirada, CA
- Asia-Pacific: Shing-Ming Junior LL, Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei
- Australia: Perth Metro East LL, Perth, Western Australia
- Canada: Kingston LL, Kingston, Ontario
- Europe & Africa: Emilia Romagna LL, Bologna, Italy
- Latin America: Aruba Center LL, Santa Cruz, Aruba
- Mexico: Liga Matamoros A.C., Matamoros, Tamaulipas
As the tournament approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be an exhilarating week of youth baseball, showcasing the skills and passion of young athletes from around the globe.
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