ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays won the first World Series title in their history, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 6. The victory ended a 28-year wait for the franchise's first championship.

Both clubs entered the 2026 World Series seeking a maiden title, guaranteeing a first-time champion regardless of the result. The Rays, long one of baseball's smallest-payroll teams, reached the summit on the strength of their pitching depth and timely hitting throughout October.

Manager Kevin Cash leaned heavily on his bullpen in the decisive games, a hallmark of Tampa Bay's analytics-driven approach. The Rays recovered from an uneven stretch earlier in the series, while the Brewers mounted a resilient challenge with their lineup.

The championship marked a watershed moment for a club that has repeatedly outperformed its financial means. Tampa Bay last reached the World Series in 2020 before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Milwaukee extended its wait for a first title since the franchise's founding in 1969.

Major League Baseball will stage the Rays' victory celebrations in the coming days, with the organisation planning a parade in the Tampa Bay region to honour the historic run.