<P> The 2016 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball 's ( MLB ) 2016 season . The 112th edition of the World Series , it was a best - of - seven playoff between the National League ( NL ) champion Chicago Cubs and the American League ( AL ) champion Cleveland Indians , the first meeting of those franchises in postseason history . The series was played between October 25 and November 2 . The Indians had home - field advantage because the AL had won the 2016 All - Star Game . It was also the last World Series to have home - field advantage determined by the All - Star Game results ; since 2017 , home - field advantage is awarded to the team with the better record . </P>
who did cubs beat in 2016 world series
Cleveland Indians