Drama finds a home during the Fall Classic.
MLB history is littered with notable moments in the World Series, from Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956 to Joe Carter’s walk-off decider in 1993. Sometimes, the spotlight falls not on a moment itself, but the journey that led up to it — the marathon matches that lead up to a blissful and merciful conclusion.
In the era of pitch clocks and other rule changes enacted to spur quicker matches, it’s easy to forget how long and drawn out baseball can be. But when the Commissioner’s Trophy is on the line, the past becomes the present. The turgid contests that can prove to be something of an eyesore during the dog days of the regular season turn into chess matches that even casuals can’t ignore.
What are the longest games in World Series history? Here’s what you need to know.
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Longest games in World Series history
The longest game in World Series history was between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the 2018 Fall Classic.
The contest unfolded over 18 innings and 440 minutes and the matchup was shaped by its pitching — a motley crew of hurlers that Boston and Los Angeles enlisted who combined for 34 strikeouts in the affair.
Max Muncy ended things in the bottom of the 18th, sending an errant Nathan Eovaldi fastball over the left field bleachers.
The early morning hours on this day in Dodgers history saw Max Muncy hit a walk-off home run to end the longest World Series game.https://t.co/eGWL8vo61o pic.twitter.com/pnPYDAxjiw
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 27, 2025
Here’s a look at the other lengthiest games to take place during the Fall Classic.
| Teams | Date | Innings | Game Length | Result |
| Red Sox vs. Dodgers | Oct. 26, 2018 | 18 | 7 hours, 20 minutes | Dodgers win 3-2 |
| Dodgers vs. Blue Jays | Oct. 27, 2025 | 18 | 6 hours, 51 minutes | Dodgers win 6-5 |
| White Sox vs. Astros | Oct. 25, 2005 | 15 | 5 hours, 41 minutes | White Sox win 7-5 |
| Astros vs. Dodgers | Oct. 29, 2017 | 10 | 5 hours, 17 minutes | Astros win 13-12 |
| Royals vs. Mets | Oct. 27, 2015 | 14 | 5 hours, 9 minutes | Royals win 5-4 |
| Mets vs. Yankees | Oct. 21, 2000 | 12 | 4 hours, 51 minutes | Yankees win 4-3 |
| Astros vs. Phillies | Oct. 28, 2022 | 10 | 4 hours, 34 minutes | Phillies win 6-5 |
| Cardinals vs. Rangers | Oct. 27, 2011 | 11 | 4 hours, 33 minutes | Cardinals win 10-9 |
| Cubs vs. Indians | Nov. 2, 2016 | 10 | 4 hours, 28 minutes | Cubs win 8-7 |
| Astros vs. Dodgers | Oct. 25, 2017 | 11 | 4 hours, 19 minutes | Astros win 7-6 |
| Red Sox vs. Rockies | Oct. 27, 2007 | 9 | 4 hours, 19 minutes | Red Sox win 10-5 |
Longest MLB games ever
The longest MLB game ever by innings, regardless of postseason status, was a 26-inning matchup between the Brooklyn Robins and the Boston Braves in May 1920. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, as it was called due to darkness after just three hours and 50 minutes.
#OTD in 1920 at Braves Field, the Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves played a record 26-inning game that ended in 1-1 tie. The 3 hrs and 50 mins contest was called due to darkness, both pitchers (Leon Cadore & Joe Oeschger) went the distance. Walter Holke had 42 POs at first base pic.twitter.com/HKFusaOH9w
— Old-Time Baseball Photos (@OTBaseballPhoto) May 1, 2020
In terms of time, the longest game goes to a May 1984 meeting between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, which lasted eight hours and six minutes over 25 innings.
There have been eight MLB games to last at least 23 innings, although none of them have come in the 21st century. The longest game since 2000 went 22 innings, an April 2008 matchup between the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres.
Here’s a full look of the longest MLB games ever by innings:
| Teams | Date | Innings | Game Length | Result |
| Brooklyn Robins vs. Boston Braves | May 1, 1920 | 26 | 3 hours, 50 minutes | 1-1 tie |
| Chicago White Sox vs. MilwaukeeBrewers | May 8, 1984 | 25 | 8 hours, 6 minutes | White Sox win 7-6 |
| St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets | Sept. 11, 1974 | 25 | 7 hours, 4 minutes | Cardinals win 4-3 |
| Houston Astros vs. New York Mets | Apr. 15, 1968 | 24 | 6 hours, 6 minutes | Astros win 1-0 |
| Detroit Tigers vs. Philadelphia Athletics | July 21, 1945 | 24 | 4 hours, 48 minutes | 1-1 tie |
| Philadelphia Athletics vs. Boston Americans | Sept. 1, 1906 | 24 | 4 hours, 40 minutes | Athletics win 4-1 |
| San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets | May 31, 1964 | 23 | 7 hours, 23 minutes | Giants win 8-6 |
| Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Boston Bees | June 27, 1939 | 23 | 5 hours, 15 minutes | 2-2 tie |
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Most innings in a World Series game
The most innings ever in a World Series game, and in the entire MLB postseason, is 18. It’s happened in a total of five postseason games, including two World Series matchups.
The first 18-inning World Series game came in 2018, when the Dodgers outlasted the Red Sox 3-2 in Game 3 of the series. Max Muncy’s walk-off home run in the 18th ended it, although Boston went on to win the series. The matchup lasted over seven hours.
Seven hours and 20 minutes later, Max calls game. #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/L4J2BFNSpd
— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2018
The Dodgers were involved in the second 18-inning World Series game as well — in 2025, Los Angeles and the Blue Jays remained at a stalemate into the 18th. Once again, a Dodgers walk-off home run ended it, this time from first baseman Freddie Freeman.
FREDDIE FREEMAN WALK-OFF HOME RUN IN THE 18TH INNING! #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/wD1xbRxDbC
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2025
Prior to the two 18-inning World Series games, the longest Fall Classic matchup by innings was 14 innings. That has been matched three times: in Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, Game 3 of the 2005 World Series and Game 2 of the 1916 World Series.
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