<P> The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball ( MLB ) in North America , contested since 1903 between the American League ( AL ) champion team and the National League ( NL ) champion team . The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best - of - seven playoff , and the winning team is awarded the Commissioner 's Trophy . As the series is played during the fall season in North America , it is sometimes referred to as the Fall Classic . </P>
how many games does a team have to win for the world series
best - of - seven