2016 World Series Championship

Lore & Background

The deciding seventh game, won by Chicago 8–7 in ten innings, was the fifth World Series Game 7 to go into extra innings, and the first since 1997 (which, coincidentally, the Indians also lost). It was also the first Game 7 to have a rain delay, which occurred as the 10th inning was about to start. The Cubs became the sixth team to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win a best-of-seven World Series. The Cubs, playing in their 11th World Series overall and their first since 1945, won their third championship and first since 1908, ending the longest championship drought in North American professional sports history.

In Their Own Story

The confetti had settled on the bleachers at Wrigley Field, but the roar of the crowd still vibrated through the brick walls. A veteran player stood near home plate, staring up at the iconic ivy-covered outfield wall, tears mixing with the rain that began to fall. He touched the dirt, knowing this was the ground where a century of hope finally took root. The trophy gleamed under the floodlights, not just as metal and wood, but as proof that patience had its reward.

Reader's Guide

The Cubs qualified for the postseason by winning the National League Central, ending the regular season with the best record in all of MLB (103–58) for the first time since 1945. They defeated the San Francisco Giants 3–1 in the NL Division Series and the Los Angeles Dodgers 4–2 in the NL Championship Series. The Indians qualified by winning the American League Central, then defeated the Boston Red Sox 3–0 in the AL Division Series and the Toronto Blue Jays 4–1 in the AL Championship Series.

Did You Know?

• The 2016 World Series was the final World Series to have home-field advantage determined by the All-Star Game results; since 2017, home-field advantage has been awarded to the team with the better record.
• The Cubs became the sixth team to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win a best-of-seven World Series.
• Game 7 was the first World Series Game 7 to have a rain delay, which occurred as the 10th inning was about to start.
• As of 2026, this is the most recent championship in the four major American sports leagues won by a Chicago-based team.