The Voices Behind the Fall Classic: Who Sang the National Anthem at the 2026 World Series as Mickey Guyton and Kylie Cantrall Take Centre Stage in Milwaukee?

Country sensation Mickey Guyton and 21-year-old Disney star turned pop artist Kylie Cantrall are the vocalists who took the microphone to perform the American national anthem during the opening showdowns of the 2026 World Series. Guyton launched the Fall Classic with a stirring rendition ahead of Game 1, whilst Cantrall commanded the field for Game 2 as the Milwaukee Brewers hosted the Tampa Bay Rays at American Family Field.

Taking on “The Star-Spangled Banner” under the relentless gaze of millions remains one of the most pressurised assignments in live entertainment. With both franchise fanbases desperate to secure their first Commissioner’s Trophy, Major League Baseball turned to two distinctly different musical generations to set the tone.

The musical choices created immediate intrigue across sports and entertainment circles alike.

Mickey Guyton Sets the Stage for Game 1

Grammy-nominated country artist Mickey Guyton was handed the responsibility of launching the series, stepping onto the dirt in Milwaukee ahead of Friday night’s opener. Guyton, celebrated for her powerful vocal control, delivered a soaring, disciplined performance that drew immense applause from the sell-out Wisconsin crowd.

Her appearance provided a composed, traditional overture to what quickly turned into an electrifying baseball contest. Milwaukee edged Tampa Bay 3-2 in a razor-thin Game 1 thriller, rewarding the home supporters who packed American Family Field to the rafters.

Guyton later marked the milestone on social media, expressing her gratitude to Major League Baseball for the honour of opening the championship round.

The Game 2 Selection: Inside Kylie Cantrall’s Sudden Ascent

When the league unveiled who would perform ahead of Game 2, curiosity surged over the spotlight falling on Kylie Cantrall. Born in Los Angeles in 2005, the multifaceted performer has spent recent years building a formidable footprint across television and streaming platforms.

Music runs deeply in Cantrall’s family history. Her father, Alex Cantrall, is a music producer and songwriter renowned for co-writing JoJo’s chart-topping breakout track “Leave (Get Out)”, whilst her mother, Carol Borjas, is an accomplished Venezuelan dancer and choreographer.

Cantrall was immersed in professional recording studios from early childhood, honing her vocal instincts on classic R&B and pop legends such as TLC, Brandy, and Janet Jackson.

From Disney Channel Prominence to Major Pop Releases

Before stepping out on baseball’s biggest stage, Cantrall assembled an extensive portfolio of youth-focused entertainment triumphs:

• Disney Franchises: She spearheaded the lead role in Gabby Duran & the Unsittables, contributed voice work to Ron’s Gone Wrong, and starred as Red in Descendants: The Rise of Red alongside Rita Ora, reprising the character in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.
• Television Competitions: She finished in third place on season 14 of The Masked Singer, performing under the disguise of the Cat Witch.
• Streaming Breakthroughs: Under Republic Records, she released her debut EP B.O.Y. followed by her nine-track project Valley Girl Problems, produced by Tricky Stewart, which garnered 2.6 million streams in its first five days alone.
• Live Experience: Outside of headlining a 15-city solo tour, Cantrall has vocalised the anthem since childhood at local rodeos and previously sang at an NFL fixture in Denver.

A Historic Backdrop at American Family Field

Beyond the vocal showcases, the ceremonial moments of the series have leaned into deep baseball lore. Game 2 featured former Brewer and Hall of Fame icon Paul Molitor throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Molitor, famously nicknamed “The Ignitor”, served as the catalytic spark of Milwaukee’s celebrated 1982 squad, bringing a palpable wave of nostalgia to a venue eager to watch its modern roster capture the title. With both Milwaukee and Tampa Bay fighting to claim their first championship banner, every pre-game tradition carries heightened significance.

Whether navigating Guyton’s seasoned country gravitas or Cantrall’s modern pop dynamism, the who sang national anthem question at this year’s Fall Classic showcased two artists capable of meeting baseball’s highest-stakes pressure head-on.

💡 The national anthem at major sporting spectacles remains an unforgiving platform where vocalists either cement their reputations or struggle under immense acoustic exposure.

🔍 Guyton’s poise established a formidable standard for Game 1, whilst Cantrall’s vibrant emergence reflects how major leagues continue bridging traditional sports ceremonies with younger entertainment demographics.

📌 As the series advances between Milwaukee and Tampa Bay, the performances will linger alongside the early on-field drama of a remarkably tight championship clash.

👇 Which rendition did you prefer during the opening games of the World Series? Share your thoughts and favourite past anthem moments in the comments below.