2021 Little League World Series: Schedule, dates, how to watch, teams, new format

This is the first LLWS since 2019, as COVID-19 forced the tournament's cancellation in 2020

The Little League World Series is back this year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020, but things aren't completely back to normal in Williamsport, Penn. Among the 2021 LLWS' biggest changes: it's closed to the general public -- but open to family and friends -- and will feature no international teams.

To compensate for the international teams' absence, the LLWS instituted a new tournament format for 2021. The U.S. has two teams -- an A squad and B squad -- for each of its eight regions as opposed to the usual one-per-region layout. A teams won their U.S. region tournaments while B teams were runner ups. 

The 16 teams are separated into two halves of a championship bracket, the Hank Aaron half and the Tom Seaver half.
Here's how the Championship bracket is laid out: 

Hank Aaron teams

Honolulu, Hi. (West A)
Hastings, Neb. (Midwest A)
Taylor, Mich. (Great Lakes A)
Sammamish, Wash. (Northwest A)
Manchester, Conn. (New England B)
Toms River, N.J. (Mid-Atlantic B)
Palm City, Fla. (Southeast B)
Abilene, Texas (Southwest B)

Tom Seaver teams

Nolensville, Tenn. (Southeast A)
Hookset, N.H. (New England A)
Oaks, Pa. (Mid-Atlantic A)
Lafayette, La. (Southwest A)
Hamilton, Ohio (Great Lakes B)
Torrance, Calif. (West B)
Lake Oswego, Ore. (Northwest B)
Sioux Falls, S.D. (Midwest B)

The U.S. -- by default -- will add its 37th ever champion in the 74th LLWS. Teams from 14 states have won before, with California (7) leading the pack and Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania all tying for second with four. River Ridge, La. won it all for the first time in state history in 2019. 

The LLWS began on Thursday and will conclude with the semifinals and finals slated for Aug. 28 and Aug 29.

How to watch the 2021 Little League World Series

When: Aug. 19 to Aug. 29
Where: Williamsport, Penn.
Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Channel: ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC 

Here's a schedule for the remaining games:
(All times eastern)

Sunday, Aug. 22
Game 13: California 9, Ohio 0
Game 14: Hawaii 11, Nebraska 3
Game 15: Michigan vs. Texas, Postponed due to weather
Game 16: Oregon vs. South Dakota, Postponed due to weather

Monday, Aug. 23
Game 17: Loser of Game 15 vs. New Jersey, 1 p.m. on ESPN
Game 18: Loser of Game 16 vs. New Hampshire, 3 p.m. on ESPN
Game 19: Louisiana vs. Loser of Game 13, 5 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 20: Washington vs. Loser of Game 14, 7 p.m. on ESPN2

Tuesday, Aug. 24
Game 21: Winner of Game 18 vs. Winner of Game 19, 3 p.m. on ESPN
Game 22: Winner of Game 17 vs. Winner of Game 20, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

Wednesday, Aug. 25
Game 23: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 16, 3 p.m. on ESPN
Game 24: Winner of Game 14 vs. Winner of Game 15, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

Thursday, Aug. 26
Game 25: Loser of Game 24 vs. Winner of Game 22, 3 p.m. on ESPN
Game 26: Loser of Game 23 vs. Winner of Game 21, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

Saturday, Aug. 28
Game 27: Winner of Game 23 vs. Winner of Game 26, 12:30 p.m. on ABC (Tom Seaver Final)
Game 28: Winner of Game 24 vs. Winner of Game 25, 3:30 p.m. on ABC (Hank Aaron Final)

Sunday, Aug. 29
Game 29: Loser of Game 27 vs. Loser of Game 28, 10 a.m. on ESPN (Consolation Final)
Game 30: Winner of Game 27 vs. Winner of Game 28, 3 p.m. on ABC (LLWS Final)