MLB no longer plays a Game 163 when teams finish tied for a division title, Wild Card berth or postseason seed. In 2026, the tie is decided mathematically using regular-season results, with head-to-head record first.
MLB's two-team tiebreaker order
- Head-to-head record
- Intradivision record
- Interdivision record
- Record in the last half of intraleague games
- The previous intraleague game, added one at a time until the tie breaks
The season series is therefore the first number fans should check. Run differential is not the opening tiebreaker.
Why Game 163 disappeared
MLB removed the extra regular-season tiebreaker game when the postseason expanded to 12 teams in 2022. Using a fixed statistical order lets the playoff schedule start on time and prevents one tied team from playing an additional elimination game before the Wild Card Series.
The change affects more than the last playoff place. A tiebreaker can decide a division championship, a first-round bye, Wild Card seeding or home-field advantage.
Three-team and four-team ties
Multi-team ties use the records among all tied clubs. If one team has a superior record against every other tied team, that comparison can settle the first position. Otherwise MLB works through the applicable combined records, then reapplies the procedure after one position is resolved.
That is why a graphic comparing only two season series may be incomplete when three clubs finish level. The number of available postseason positions also affects the scenario.
Wild Card Series format
The three Wild Card teams and the lowest-seeded division winner play best-of-three series hosted entirely by the higher seed. The two best division winners in each league receive byes to the Division Series.
For the 2026 postseason, MLB lists the Wild Card Series as beginning on September 29. Schedules can still be updated, so check the official postseason page before making travel or viewing plans.
The practical takeaway is simple: there is no Game 163, head-to-head comes first, and every regular-season meeting between contenders can decide October positioning.
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