Weather Won’t Be a Factor in the 2026 World Series. Here’s Why
The World Series field is set, featuring two teams with indoor stadiums. For only the second time in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), both league champions play in ballparks with roofs. Here is a look at this matchup and how the weather has been taken out of the equation.
Historic World Series with Two Roofed Stadiums
The Tampa Bay Rays clinched the American League Championship Series on Monday night, giving them the right to face the Milwaukee Brewers from the National League in the annual Fall Classic. One of the most interesting storylines of this year's championship is that both teams are not accustomed to having to play in bad weather while at home. While the Rays have a completely domed stadium, the Brewers play on a field with a retractable roof.
This year's World Series will be only the second time that none of the games will be subject to weather constraints. The only other time this has happened was in 2023 when the Texas Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The World Series has often featured a third player in Mother Nature. That will not be the case this year, as the option to close the roof in Milwaukee will mean that weather will not be a factor. While this may be good news for fans heading out for the games and adjacent festivities, it certainly takes away some of the drama associated with the Fall Classic.
Mother Nature's Role in the World Series Over the Years
There have been a number of unforgettable moments over the years as fall's fury raged outside. Boston fans may fondly remember Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. This game had been postponed for three days because of heavy rain in the Northeast. The wait was worth it for the Red Sox, as a Carlton Fisk walk-off homer in the 12th inning caught the October wind right to send it just outside the foul pole at Fenway Park. Unfortunately for Boston, the Cincinnati Reds went on to win the series in Game 7.
More recently, the Chicago Cubs rallied in the 10th inning of a dramatic Game 7 to win the title for the first time in 108 years. That game had been delayed by 17 minutes due to the rain. The Cubs overcame Cleveland to bring the title back to the Windy City.
It was Ole Man Winter throwing the punches during Game 4 of the 1997 World Series. Freezing temperatures and snow plagued the game between the hometown Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) and the visiting Florida Marlins. The Marlins went on to become the first-ever Wild Card team to take home the title. Even more impressive was the fact that the Marlins won this title in just their fifth year as a franchise.
The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series, an event distinguished by the first mid-game rain suspension in World Series history. Heavy rain forced Game 5 to be suspended in the middle of the 6th inning on October 27. Play did not resume until almost 50 hours later on October 29.
All of this year's fun will kick off on Friday at American Family Field in Milwaukee. While the weather will not be a factor inside the stadium, tailgaters and fans taking part in the outdoor festivities will see partly cloudy skies and a high in the upper 60s. Overnight lows will bottom out in the low 50s in the city along the shores of Lake Michigan.
The series will return to Tampa on Monday evening. The Rays' World Series run has unfolded during its first season back at Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton ripped off the roof in 2024. It will be a beautiful day in Tampa with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low 80s.
Both teams enjoy a sizable advantage when playing at their home fields, tying for first in the league this year with 55 home wins. Only time will tell who will end the season on top.
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