How to Watch the 2026 NLCS on DIRECTV: Schedule, Possible Matchups and Channels
The National League Championship Series starts Sunday, October 11, and every game airs on FOX or FS1, with Spanish-language coverage on FOX Deportes and streaming on FOX One. As of Tuesday morning, October 6, neither NLCS team is set. The Milwaukee Brewers can clinch a spot tonight, and the Dodgers and Braves are tied in the other Division Series.
Here's where both NLDS series stand, the four possible NLCS matchups, the full schedule and the DIRECTV channels to save.
Where the NLDS stands
| Series | Status (as of Oct. 6 morning) | Next game (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Brewers vs. No. 4 Padres | Milwaukee leads 2-0 (won 3-2 and 4-3) | Game 3: Tue., Oct. 6, 9:30 p.m., FS1, at San Diego |
| No. 2 Dodgers vs. No. 3 Braves | Tied 1-1 (Dodgers won 5-3, Braves won 3-2) | Game 3: Tue., Oct. 6, 6 p.m., FS1, at Atlanta |
If needed, both Game 4s are Wednesday, October 7, on FS1 (Dodgers-Braves at 6 p.m., Brewers-Padres at 10 p.m.). Game 5s would be Friday, October 9: Padres at Brewers at 4:30 p.m. on FS1 and Braves at Dodgers at 8 p.m. on FOX. Follow both series in our Padres vs. Brewers and Dodgers vs. Braves guides, or the full 2026 NLDS guide.
Possible 2026 NLCS matchups
The higher seed gets home-field advantage in the LCS, hosting Games 1 and 2 and, if needed, Games 6 and 7.
| Possible matchup | Home field (Games 1, 2, 6, 7) |
|---|---|
| Brewers vs. Dodgers | Milwaukee (No. 1 seed) |
| Brewers vs. Braves | Milwaukee (No. 1 seed) |
| Padres vs. Dodgers | Los Angeles (No. 2 seed) |
| Padres vs. Braves | Atlanta (No. 3 seed) |
2026 NLCS schedule and TV channels
Best of seven. All games air on FOX or FS1, with FOX Deportes in Spanish and streaming on FOX One.
| Game | Date | Where | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sun., Oct. 11 | Higher seed | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 2 | Mon., Oct. 12 | Higher seed | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 3 | Wed., Oct. 14 | Lower seed | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 4 | Thu., Oct. 15 | Lower seed | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 5* | Fri., Oct. 16 | Lower seed | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 6* | Sun., Oct. 18 | Higher seed | FOX or FS1 |
| Game 7* | Mon., Oct. 19 | Higher seed | FOX or FS1 |
*If necessary. MLB lists each game as "FOX or FS1." The network for each game and the first-pitch times are announced once the matchup is set, so check back or look in your DIRECTV guide later this week.
NLCS channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Included with |
|---|---|---|
| FOX (local station) | Varies by market | Core packages where local channels are available |
| FS1 | 219 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher |
| FOX Deportes (Spanish) | 465 | Spanish-language packages or the DIRECTV DEPORTES add-on |
| MLB Network (studio coverage) | 213 | CHOICE and higher |
Because a game could land on either FOX or FS1, save both. If you're not sure your local FOX station is in your lineup, call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check.
How to watch the NLCS on DIRECTV
Games on FOX
DIRECTV carries your local FOX station with its core packages wherever local channels are available. The channel number depends on your market, so search "FOX" or your station's call letters in the guide, or see what channel FOX is in your area.
Games on FS1
FS1 is channel 219 and comes with ENTERTAINMENT and higher packages. See what channel FS1 is on DIRECTV for more.
Streaming with FOX One
Every NLCS game streams on FOX One. DIRECTV has said FOX One is included with qualifying plans: open the FOX One app, choose TV provider sign-in, pick DIRECTV and use your DIRECTV login. Which FOX channels unlock depends on your package. Our guide to FOX One with DIRECTV walks through it. You can also watch FOX and FS1 in the DIRECTV app with your DIRECTV login.
MLB.TV
MLB says postseason games on FOX and FS1 are available to MLB.TV subscribers who also sign in as subscribers to those networks through a participating pay TV provider.
Radio, Spanish and studio coverage
- Spanish TV: FOX Deportes carries the NLCS.
- Radio: ESPN Radio has national English-language audio of every postseason game, and TUDN Radio is the Spanish-language radio home.
- Studio shows: MLB Network (channel 213) covers the postseason on MLB Tonight, MLB Central, MLB Now and Intentional Talk.
The rest of October on DIRECTV
The American League side starts a day later. The ALCS begins Monday, October 12, on TBS, truTV and HBO Max; see our 2026 ALCS guide. The World Series starts Friday, October 23, on FOX. For every postseason channel in one place, see MLB on DIRECTV.
Which DIRECTV plan is best for the NLCS?
- Any core package: your local FOX station, where available.
- ENTERTAINMENT and higher: adds FS1 (219), plus TBS (247) and truTV (246) for the ALCS.
- CHOICE and higher: adds MLB Network (213).
Compare every tier in our DIRECTV channels and plans guide, or check DIRECTV options at your address.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 NLCS start?
Game 1 is Sunday, October 11, 2026. Game 2 is Monday, October 12, and a Game 7, if needed, would be Monday, October 19.
What channel is the NLCS on DIRECTV?
Every game is on FOX or FS1. FOX is your local station, with a channel number that varies by market, and FS1 is channel 219. FOX Deportes carries the Spanish broadcast on channel 465 in Spanish-language packages.
Who is playing in the 2026 NLCS?
It isn't set yet. As of the morning of October 6, Milwaukee led San Diego 2-0 and the Dodgers and Braves were tied 1-1. The possible matchups are Brewers-Dodgers, Brewers-Braves, Padres-Dodgers and Padres-Braves.
What time is NLCS Game 1?
MLB hadn't announced the first-pitch time or whether Game 1 is on FOX or FS1 as of October 6. Times are set once the matchup is known.
Can I stream the NLCS with DIRECTV?
Yes. Every game streams on FOX One, which DIRECTV says is included with qualifying plans through TV provider sign-in. You can also watch FOX and FS1 in the DIRECTV app.
Baseball questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 6, 2026, before that night's NLDS Game 3s. Matchups, networks for each game and first-pitch times are set by MLB and its TV partners and may change. Channel lineups, carriage and package availability vary by address and may change. MLB, FOX, FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.