As four teams fight for the World Series, two franchises in particular have a chance to end lengthy World Series droughts.
The Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers have both seen success recently with repeat playoff appearances, but none of those have led to a championship just yet. As a result, they represent two of the longest championship droughts in the league, which continue to grow as long as they don't secure the World Series.
Since 2000, many teams have either gotten their first World Series title or ended a lengthy drought, creating some of the greatest stories in the sport's history. The 2026 season could be on its way to adding another team to that list while potentially giving its fans a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Here's a breakdown of which teams have gone the longest since their last World Series title.
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Longest World Series droughts in baseball
| Team | Drought | Inaugural season | Last title |
| Cleveland Guardians | 77 years | 1901 | 1948 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 57 years | 1969 | None |
| San Diego Padres | 57 years | 1969 | None |
| Seattle Mariners | 50 years | 1977 | None |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 47 years | 1882 | 1979 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 43 years | 1901 | 1983 |
| Detroit Tigers | 42 years | 1901 | 1984 |
| New York Mets | 40 years | 1962 | 1986 |
| Athletics | 37 years | 1901 | 1989 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 36 years | 1869 | 1990 |
Cleveland Guardians: 77 years
In 2016, the Guardians inherited the longest active World Series drought when the Chicago Cubs beat them in the World Series to end their 108-year drought. While Cleveland's drought is nowhere near as long as Chicago's was at the time, but it is rising as every year passes.
The Guardians were one of many teams who played their inaugural season in 1901, changing names over the next 125 years but remaining in Cleveland throughout. Cleveland won the World Series in 1920 for their first title, then did it again in 1948, which was their most recent championship.
Since 1948, the Guardians have been to the World Series three times, and each time they were on the wrong end of a team ending a lengthy World Series drought.
Milwaukee Brewers: 57 years
In 1969, the Seattle Pilots joined the majors as one of two expansion teams, but they moved to Milwaukee after just one season. The Brewers came to existence in 1970, joining the American League until 1998, when they were realigned to the National League.
Milwaukee has been home to several baseball teams since the 1870s, with different variations of teams taking shape in other leagues. After Braves spent 13 seasons in Milwaukee, the city finally got a permanent franchise when it landed the Pilots from Seattle.
The Brewers made the World Series once since 1970: representing the American League in 1982 while losing to the St. Louis Cardinals. Milwaukee has not yet won the NL pennant, however.
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San Diego Padres: 57 years
The Padres were the other expansion team in 1969, and the team has remained in San Diego in its entire existence. Similar to the city of Milwaukee, San Diego was home to a bunch of minor league teams prior to landing the Padres as an expansion franchise.
Over those 57 years, the Padres have only made the playoffs 10 times, five as a division winner and five as a wild-card representative. Additionally, the Padres made the playoffs twice in their history but lost both times: in 1984 to the Detroit Tigers and in 1998 to the New York Yankees.
Seattle Mariners: 50 years
After losing the Pilots to Milwaukee, Seattle quickly rebounded when the landed the Mariners as an expansion team in 1977. While there were times when the Mariners' existence in Seattle was in doubt, the teams was able to stick around and reached the five-decade mark in 2026.
However, the Mariners are the only active MLB team that has not yet been to a World Series, which became the case when the Washington Nationals finally made the Fall Classic in 2019. Seattle has only made the playoffs six times since 1977, four times as a division winner and twice via the Wild Card.
Pittsburgh Pirates: 47 years
One of a few teams that came into existence in the late-1800s, the Pittsburgh Pirates have an extensive history that has faded away in recent memory. The Pirates have five World Series titles spread out over 70 years in the 1900s, with their last coming in 1979 when they beat the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.
Since 1979, though, Pittsburgh's baseball teams has had very little success. The team made the playoffs three-straight years from 1990-92, then after a 21-year playoff drought, returned to the postseason for another three-straight years from 2013-15.
The Pirates have not made the playoffs since 2015, marking one of the largest playoff droughts in the league. Additionally, the Pirates haven't even made it back to the World Series since their last title in 1979.
