The Little League Baseball World Series is officially underway in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, running from Aug. 13 through Aug. 24. A 20-team field—10 from the United States and 10 international teams—will compete for the world title, continuing a tradition that stretches back to the event’s start in 1947.
Defending champion update: Lake Mary’s title defense ended when they were eliminated in the Southeast Regional final by Irmo Little League of Irmo, South Carolina. With the previous champion out, a new world champion will emerge in 2025 from this year’s field.
Tournament format and schedule: The LLWS uses a double-elimination bracket until the championship rounds. Teams that lose once get a second chance to stay alive, while a second loss ends their run. Games are six innings, with a seventh if the score is tied after six. If still tied after seven, extra innings begin with a runner on second base. All players must be ages 10 to 12.
A highlight of the week is the MLB Little League Classic on Aug. 17, when the Seattle Mariners face the New York Mets at Bowman Field in Williamsport. The game counts as a home game for the Mets, adding a major-league twist to the youth showcase.
Championship weekend and viewing: The U.S. championship and the international championship are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23, with the international final set to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET and the U.S. final following at 3:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, Aug. 24, the consolation game kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2, followed by the LLWS championship at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
What to watch and how the event works: The event’s double-elimination format keeps teams in contention until they suffer two losses, setting up a dramatic run to the titles. The six-inning games with the potential for a seventh and the late-inning tiebreaker rules add strategic depth, especially in the closer regional matchups. The program this year continues to emphasize not only competitive play but also sportsmanship, teamwork, and the development of young players on a global stage.
Recent results and notable matchups: Opening days produced a mix of decisive wins and tight contests. Highlights from the early games include an international matchup where Latin America defeated Puerto Rico 5-0, and a strong US showing as Mountain Region beat Great Lakes Region 16-1. Other early results featured Japan Region routing Europe-Africa 12-0, and Southeast Region rolling past New England 13-0. The schedule also included several additional blowouts and competitive matchups as teams settled into the tournament format.
Teams taking part: The United States lineup features regional representatives such as Great Lakes (Clarendon Hills, IL), Metro (Fairfield, CT), Mid-Atlantic (Glenmoore Eagle LL, PA), Midwest (Sioux Falls, SD), Mountain (Summerlin South LL, NV), New England (Braintree American LL, MA), Northwest (Bonney Lake/Sumner LL, WA), Southeast (Irmo LL, SC), Southwest (Lamar LL, TX), and West (Honolulu, HI). International teams hail from a mix of regions around the globe, contributing to a truly global youth baseball showcase.
What this means for fans and families: The LLWS offers a unique blend of high-level youth competition, international camaraderie, and a bridge to major-league connections—exemplified by the MLB Classic pairing this year’s teens with MLB stars. It’s a weekend of baseball that emphasizes community support, skill development, and the joy of the game for players, families, and fans alike.
Summary and outlook: As the field progresses toward the final days, anticipation is high for a new world champion to emerge from the diverse group of teams playing in Williamsport. The event remains a positive, hopeful stage for young athletes to demonstrate talent, teamwork, and determination, with the broader baseball community watching as these 10-to-12-year-olds compete on one of the sport’s most storied stages. A bright, positive spin: every game is a stepping stone in these players’ journeys, and the LLWS continues to inspire the next generation of baseball stars and passionate fans.