Everything you need to know about 2026 Little League Classic (ESPN, Sunday, 7 p.m. ET)

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Every big leaguer was once a youngster with a dream. During the day on Sunday, big leaguers from the Braves and Brewers will get to watch today's young dreamers play in Little League World Series games in Williamsport, Pa.

Little League Classic presented by New York Life
• Braves vs. Brewers: Sunday 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Best moments in Little League Classic history

That evening, those kids and their families will return the favor when they watch the Braves take on the Brewers at 7 p.m. ET in the ninth annual MLB Little League Classic presented by New York Life. The jewel event will also wrap up MLB Players' Weekend.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 MLB Little League Classic.

What is the MLB Little League Classic?

It is an annual MLB game played in Williamsport, Pa., primarily in front of Little League Baseball World Series players and their families. The event helps reinforce MLB’s commitment to youth baseball and its young fans from all over the world.

How can I watch the game?

The 2026 MLB Little League Classic will air nationally on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. There will also be an alternate broadcast on ESPN2 called Alumni-cast. That broadcast will include special guests and commentators who have participated in the Little League World Series, such as former Major Leaguers Todd Frazier and Devon Travis.

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Where will the game be played?

As in years past, the game will be played in Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, which is the home of the Williamsport Crosscutters of the MLB Draft League. The ballpark, which opened in 1926 and hosted Minor League games for years, was renovated prior to the inaugural MLB Little League Classic in 2017 to meet Major League standards.

Who are the probable starting pitchers?

Braves: RHP

Mahle has provided exactly what the Braves hoped for since acquiring him from the Giants at the Trade Deadline, pitching to a 1.45 ERA through his first three starts with Atlanta. The veteran right-hander is coming off 6 2/3 strong innings against the Twins, when he settled in after allowing a two-run homer in the first and kept Minnesota scoreless the rest of his outing. Sunday will mark his fourth start with the Braves.

Brewers: LHP

Acquired from the Red Sox with fellow lefty and infielder just before the start of Spring Training, Drohan (6-4, 3.86 ERA) didn’t start the regular season in the big leagues with the Brewers, but he has become indispensable for a young rotation that has relied on its depth. When Jacob Misiorowski needed a reset and Harrison was hurt in July, it was Drohan who led the team with 36 innings for the month.

Now he’s approaching a reset of his own. After this start, the Brewers are expected to shift him into a hybrid role focused on long relief as a mechanism to control his innings. First, though, he gets to make a start he’s thought about since he was a kid.

“Every 12-year-old’s dream is to go to Williamsport,” said Drohan, “and it’s still cool to do it at 27.”

What are the likely starting lineups?

Braves: Manager Walt Weiss called the opportunity a chance to “spread some goodwill” and give Little Leaguers an opportunity to be around some of their heroes. The trip also brings back memories of his own Little League days.

“There’s nothing better than playing Little League Baseball,” Weiss said.

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Brewers: No team hits fewer home runs than the Brewers, but they can still score thanks to elite plate discipline, sizzling speed and a particularly aggressive approach that has a knack for bringing out the worst in opposing defenses. Going into Friday's series opener against the Braves, Milwaukee led the Majors in on-base percentage and ranked fourth in runs scored.

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Any injuries of note?

Braves: Atlanta enters the weekend without a significant new injury affecting its expected lineup. Right-hander remains a name to monitor, though the club has not provided a firm timeline for his return.

Brewers: The Brewers could get right fielder back as soon as Sunday in Williamsport after he tested his strained right shoulder on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville. Frelick showed little rust at the plate, but throws have been an issue, and the ballclub wanted to be sure he was physically ready to handle the rigors of right field before he returns.

The Crew has been without one of its top relievers since right-handed setup man went down with a forearm strain last week. While club officials remain hopeful about a minimum IL stint, Uribe won’t be eligible until Wednesday at the Mets at the earliest.

Left-hander , acquired from the Cardinals at the Trade Deadline to bolster the bullpen, threw live batting practice on Friday and is nearing a rehab assignment, but he still isn’t ready to pitch for the Brewers.

Who is hot and who is not?

Braves: Olson and Riley have been among Atlanta’s hottest hitters of late. Olson entered the weekend leading the Braves with 36 home runs and 77 RBIs, while Riley drove in both runs in Thursday’s 2-0 win over the White Sox.

Brewers: Splitting time between first base and the outfield, Bauers leads the Brewers with a career-high 22 home runs and has also already set career highs in runs scored, hits, RBIs and walks.

Third baseman , who was bumped off shortstop with the June arrival of Pratt, went into this series against the Braves hitting .343 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in his previous 32 games.

Going into Saturday, closer was riding a streak of 11 straight scoreless appearances and had been unscored upon in 26 of his past 27 outings.

What’s the history of MLB games in Williamsport?

The Mets defeated the Mariners in the 2025 edition of the Little League Classic. Previous matchups featured the Pirates vs. Cardinals (2017), Mets vs. Phillies (2018), Pirates vs. Cubs (2019), Guardians vs. Angels (2021), Orioles vs. Red Sox (2022), Phillies vs. Nationals (2023) and Yankees vs. Tigers (2024).

Is there anything else fans should know?

  • This year's Little League Classic will honor , who spent his legendary 23-year career playing in Milwaukee and Atlanta. The event will pay homage to Aaron through the continuation of his famous mantra, "Keep Swinging", celebrating his perseverance, courage, and optimism in a way that resonates with young players navigating their own challenges on and off the field. During the pregame, kids watching at home (and in attendance) will be invited to take the simple, interactive pledge to "Keep Swinging", whether in baseball, school or life. There will be more celebration of Aaron and his famous mantra during the telecast and on social media.
  • The 2026 Little League Baseball World Series is taking place in Williamsport from Aug. 19-30.
  • The Brewers will be the home team for the Little League Classic, and this will be the first time in franchise history that they will host a game at a venue outside of their designated home stadium. The home team has won the past five Little League Classic games.
  • This will be the first trip to the Little League Classic for both the Braves and Brewers.