We've reached the final stretch in South Williamsport. The 2026 Little League Baseball World Series is officially in Championship Week, and the intensity at Lamade and Volunteer Stadiums is off the charts. Undefeated powerhouses are colliding. Cinderella stories have already been written. The path to the Dick's Sporting Goods World Championship trophy is razor-thin.
Here's everything you need to know - the full 2026 Little League World Series bracket, TV schedule & full list of games, plus what to watch for as we crown a champion this weekend.
The Bracket Breakdown: Who's Left and Who's Heading Home
The field of 20 has been whittled down, and the remaining squads are trading haymakers. As of Thursday morning, the U.S. bracket is a brutal gauntlet of elite hitting. The International side features a Japanese squad that looks absolutely unstoppable.
U.S. Bracket - The Lone Star and Buckeye State Dominate
It's a two-horse race on the U.S. side, with both teams sporting unblemished records.
- Texas (Southwest) - Undefeated: Southlake Little League has been the most electrifying offensive show in the tournament. They lead all teams with 11 home runs, and their lineup shows no mercy. They are the heavy favorites to secure the U.S. title.
- Ohio (Midwest) - Undefeated: Don't sleep on the Midwest champs. Ohio has matched Texas step-for-step, playing clutch baseball and grinding out wins. Their pitching depth has been the key to keeping that zero in the loss column.
- Eliminated: The dreams are over for New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Northwest, who have all been sent packing.
International Bracket - Japan is on a Different Planet
Across the bracket, Japan (Tokyo Kitasuna LL) is not just winning; they are decimating opponents. Through four games, they have outscored their competition a jaw-dropping 28 - 3. That's not a team; that's a force of nature.
- Japan (Asia-Pacific) - Undefeated: They are the team to beat, period.
- Curaçao (Caribbean) - Undefeated: The Caribbean champs are the only squad with the firepower to potentially trade blows with Japan. This sets up a potential dream final.
- Eliminated: Canada, Europe-Africa, and Australia have all been eliminated.
📊 Japan has outscored opponents 28 - 3 in 4 games - the most lopsided run differential in the entire 2026 tournament.
📊 Texas leads all teams with 11 home runs - their power surge has made every game a must-watch event.
| Team | Region | Record | Run Differential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (Southlake LL) | Southwest | 4 - 0 | +18 |
| Ohio (Midwest) | Midwest | 4 - 0 | +15 |
| Japan (Tokyo Kitasuna LL) | Asia-Pacific | 4 - 0 | +25 |
| Curaçao (Caribbean) | Caribbean | 4 - 0 | +12 |
Full TV Schedule: How to Watch Every Game This Weekend
You don't want to miss a single pitch. Here is the exact schedule for the rest of the tournament, with all times Eastern. Every single one of these games is a must-watch.
Thursday, August 20 - The Quarterfinal Slugfest (ESPN/ESPN2)
- 1:00 p.m. ET - U.S. Bracket: Midwest (Ohio) vs. Southeast (ESPN)
- 3:00 p.m. ET - International Bracket: Japan vs. Mexico (ESPN2)
- 5:00 p.m. ET - U.S. Bracket: Southwest (Texas) vs. West (ESPN)
- 7:00 p.m. ET - International Bracket: Caribbean (Curaçao) vs. Latin America (ESPN2)
Friday, August 21 - Semifinal Showdowns
- 5:00 p.m. ET - International Semifinal (ESPN2)
- 7:00 p.m. ET - U.S. Semifinal (ESPN)
Saturday, August 22 - The U.S. Championship
- 3:30 p.m. ET - U.S. Championship Game (ABC)
Sunday, August 23 - The World Championship
- 3:00 p.m. ET - World Championship Game (ABC)
Streaming Info: Can't get to a TV? No problem. Every single game is live on ESPN+ and the ESPN App with no blackouts in the U.S. It's the perfect excuse to keep the office TV on all afternoon.
