<P> The ALCS and NLCS , since the expansion to best - of - seven , are always played in a 2 -- 3 -- 2 format : Games 1 , 2 , 6 , and 7 are played in the stadium of the team that has home field advantage , and Games 3 , 4 , and 5 are played in the stadium of the team that does not . The series concludes when one team records its fourth win . Since 1998 , home field advantage has been given to the team that has the better regular season record , unless that team happens to be the Wild Card team . In that case , the other team gets home field advantage , because by rule the Wild Card team is never allowed home field advantage in a Division Series or LCS . In the event that both teams have identical records in the regular season , home field advantage goes to the team that has the winning head - to - head record . From 1969 to 1993 , home field advantage alternated between the two divisions , and from 1995 to 1997 home field advantage was determined before the season . </P>
<P> The ALCS and NLCS , since the expansion to best - of - seven , are always played in a 2 -- 3 -- 2 format : Games 1 , 2 , 6 , and 7 are played in the stadium of the team that has home field advantage , and Games 3 , 4 , and 5 are played in the stadium of the team that does not . The series concludes when one team records its fourth win . Since 1998 , home field advantage has been given to the team that has the better regular season record , unless that team happens to be the Wild Card team . In that case , the other team gets home field advantage , because by rule the Wild Card team is never allowed home field advantage in a Division Series or LCS . In the event that both teams have identical records in the regular season , home field advantage goes to the team that has the winning head - to - head record . From 1969 to 1993 , home field advantage alternated between the two divisions , and from 1995 to 1997 home field advantage was determined before the season . </P>
who gets home field advantage in the alcs
who gets home field advantage in the alcs
the team that has the better regular season record , unless that team happens to be the Wild Card team
the team that has the better regular season record , unless that team happens to be the Wild Card team