For about two weeks, the sports world revolves around Williamsport, an unassuming town in central Pennsylvania that just happens to be the dream destination of baseball-loving kids across the planet.
Twenty teams of 10- to 12-year-olds begin play today in the 2026 Little League World Series, the annual celebration of America’s pastime and the unofficial end of summer (these kids head back to school once they get back home). The teams will play a double-elimination tournament that ends with the United States champion facing off against the winners of the international bracket.
In 2024, the boys from Lake Mary, Florida, took home the trophy, making them the first champions from the Sunshine State. They’re also the most recent victors from the U.S. after Chinese Taipei beat the team from Las Vegas, Nevada, last year.
Watch Little League World Series on Fubo (free trial)
This year’s Florida team came from Tallahassee, with the Chaires-Capitola All-Stars shutting out Lake Mary in the state championship. But they went down in the regional tournament, and it’ll be Phenix City, Alabama, wearing the Southeast uniforms today in Williamsport. If you see a blue bow holding back the pitcher’s hair, that would be Kinley Rasmus, daughter of former MLB pitcher Cory Rasmus, niece of big-league outfielder Colby Rasmus and one of two girls playing in the LLWS. The other, Carsynn Meyer, plays for the Nevada team representing the Mountain region.
Only three teams are back from last year’s tournament: Vancouver, Canada; Tokyo, Japan; and Brmo, Czechia. Here’s what to know about the 2026 Little League World Series, including the schedule, teams, brackets and how to watch on TV and streaming.
Is Florida in the 2026 Little League World Series?
No. The Chaires-Capitola Little League team from Tallahassee was a game away from playing for the Southeast regional championship in Warner Robins, Georgia. They opened with a dominating 16-1 run-rule victory over Columbus, Georgia, before taking down last year’s regional champs from Irmo, South Carolina, in an 8-1 win.
But then the Tallahassee boys ran into Phenix City, Alabama, who stormed back from a four-run deficit to win 8-5 and force Florida into an elimination game. Chaires was shut out 4-0 by Nolensville, Tennessee, to come one game short of the regional title game.
Florida did see one team make the Little League World Series: the Lake Mary girls, who played in the softball tournament for the second year in a row. They made it all the way to the semifinals and lost to only one team, the eventual champions from Clayton, North Carolina. Lake Mary finished their tournament by beating Toms River, New Jersey, 5-4 on a walk-off hit to claim third place.
Little League World Series bracket
See the full schedule and each team’s path to the championship with the updating LLWS bracket.
How to watch Little League World Series 2026
Most games in the 2026 Little League World Series will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 with select games, including the semifinals and championship game, airing on ABC. Streaming options include Fubo, which carries all three channels and offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Little League World Series schedule 2026
All times Eastern.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
Thursday, Aug. 20
Friday, Aug. 21
Saturday, Aug. 22
Sunday, Aug. 23
Monday, Aug. 24
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Thursday, Aug. 27
Saturday, Aug. 29
Sunday, Aug. 30
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Little League World Series 2026 is here! Why you won’t see Florida
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
