Dome series: 2026 will be the second World Series between two indoor teams
This will be the second Fall Classic to remove the fall season from the equation.
FILE: MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz discusses how different weather conditions impact baseball
FOX Weather Meteorologist Ian Oliver sat down with legendary pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz about the unique relationship between weather and America's favorite pastime.
THE TAKEAWAY
- This will be just the second World Series between two teams with roofed home ballparks.
- The Rays and the Brewers led the Majors with 55 home wins apiece.
- Tampa Bay's World Series run comes during its first season back at Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton devastated the stadium in 2024.
The 2026 World Series is set, with the Tampa Bay Rays facing the Milwaukee Brewers in just the second Fall Classic to remove the fall season from the equation.
This year's matchup will be the second in major league history to feature two teams with roofed home ballparks, following the 2023 series between the Rangers and the Diamondbacks.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH AMERICA: SEND US YOUR FALL PHOTOS
The volatile fall weather typically provides a dramatic conclusion to a summer of games under idyllic conditions, generating unforgettable moments.
Boston's Carlton Fisk waving his walk-off homer fair in the 12th inning, with the October wind blowing out of Fenway Park in Game 6 of the 1975 series, which was postponed for three days due to heavy rain.
OCTOBER OUTLOOK: SUMMER TRIES TO HOLD ON WITH EL NIÑO IMPACTS EXPECTED TO MAKE A SPOOKY APPEARANCE
(Original Caption) Carlton Fisk hits the ball in the 12th inning for a home run, winning the game 7-6 and tieing the series 3-3. (Bettmann / Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs rallied in the 10th inning of Game 7 in 2016 to break a 108-year-old title drought after a 17-minute rain delay following a game-tying home run from Cleveland's Rajai Davis.
The elements also have provided their share of challenge and controversy.
SAINTS MARK 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REOPENING OF THE SUPERDOME AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA
Bitter cold and snow froze Cleveland and Florida players in Game 4 of the 1997 series, considered by many to be one of the coldest games in World Series history.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 22: Moises Alou of the Florida Marlins during Game Four of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field on October 22, 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio. ((Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Rays fans, of course, remember the rain-plagued 2008 series, when Tampa Bay tied Game 5 in the top of the sixth, before pouring rain led to the first suspended game in Fall Classic history, which the Phillies ended up winning when play resumed two days later.
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: Jimmy Rollins #11 (R) of the Philadelphia Phillies and B.J. Upton #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays stand on the rain soaked field during the top of the sixth innning during game five of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 27, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ((Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
But this year, the teams with the best records in their respective leagues will face off without weather being a factor.
For Tampa, their World Series run comes during its first season back at Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton devastated the stadium in 2024.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 01: Ben Williamson #15 of the Tampa Bay Rays turns a double play as Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers slides into second base in the sixth inning at American Family Field on April 01, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ((Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Meanwhile, both home ballparks have been major advantages, with both the Rays and Brewers tied with 55 home wins — the most in the majors.
Game 1 begins Friday at American Family Field in Milwaukee at 8 p.m. ET