American League Championship Series
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz jumps onto home plate after winning Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series at Fenway Park | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Sport | Baseball |
| Month played | October |
| Established | 1969 |
| Administrator | Major League Baseball |
| Format | Best-of-seven series |
| Teams | 2 |
| Qualifier for | World Series |
| Defending champions | Toronto Blue Jays (3rd title) |
| Most championships | New York Yankees (12 titles) |
| Broadcast |
|
| Most recent tournament | |
| 2025 American League Championship Series | |
| Part of a series on the |
| Major League Baseball postseason |
|---|
| Wild Card Series |
| Division Series |
| League Championship Series |
| World Series |
| Teams |
The American League Championship Series (ALCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. The winner of the ALCS wins the AL pennant and advances to the World Series, MLB's championship series, to play the winner of the National League's (NL) Championship Series. The ALCS began in 1969 as a best-of-five playoff and used this format until 1985, when it changed to its current best-of-seven format.