2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Preview: Everything You Need to Know

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Callum Jury
Reviewed by Kai Cocklin

The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has officially unveiled its schedule, signalling a major evolution for the world’s most prestigious poker festival. Returning to the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas from May 26 through July 15, 2026, the 57th annual series will feature 100 gold bracelet events, matching the record set in previous seasons.

This year’s series is defined by a strategic shift toward enhanced storytelling and global accessibility, featuring revamped broadcast coverage and a significant change to the Main Event format.

TOTAL BRACELETS
100 Live Events
BUY-IN RANGE
$300 – $250,000
BROADCAST
Free | Daily | YouTube

A New Era of Broadcast and Experience

WSOP Livestreams

A central pillar of the 2026 series is the introduction of free daily livestreams on the official WSOP YouTube channel. Beginning May 26, fans worldwide can watch featured action from a completely refreshed main stage production located in the Paris Ballroom.

The broadcast team sees a major addition in veteran poker voice Jeff Platt, who joins the WSOP in a new role aimed at deepening the narrative around the summer’s events. Platt has indicated that the 2026 coverage will emphasise broader event spotlights, a more diverse range of players, and a “noticeably upgraded” viewing experience overall.

Schedule Highlights and New Events

The 2026 schedule is designed to accommodate every bankroll, with buy-ins ranging from $300 to $250,000. While the core of the summer grind consists of 54 tournaments priced between $1,000 and $5,000, the elite end of the spectrum is well-represented by 18 Championship events and multiple high-roller showdowns.

Key Additions for 2026:

  • $550 Mini Mystery Millions (May 26): Serving as the brand-new series opener, this event features a $1 million top mystery bounty guarantee.
  • $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller (May 31): Bringing GGPoker‘s flagship high-stakes brand to the live Vegas stage for a three-day championship.
  • $1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship (June 2): A mid-summer highlight aimed at bridging the gap between the bracelet series and the Circuit season.
  • “Pick Your PLO” (July 9): A new dealer’s choice format featuring various Omaha disciplines, including Five-Card PLO and Big O.

The 2026 WSOP Main Event: A Modern Twist on Tradition

The centrepiece of the summer, the $10,000 Main Event, is scheduled to begin on July 2. This year introduces a major structural change: the prospect of a delayed final table, reminiscent of the historic “ November Nine ” era.

Current plans indicate that play will proceed through the standard marathon until the final table is reached on July 13. Specific dates and broadcast plans for the final table are expected at a later date, but the pause is intended to allow finalists and fans more time to engage with the story of the champion-to-be.

Main Event Starting Flights:

  • Day 1A: Thursday, July 2
  • Day 1B: Friday, July 3
  • Day 1C: Saturday, July 4
  • Day 1D: Sunday, July 5
♠️ Click to View All 100 Bracelet Events
Date#Event Name
Tue, May 261$550 Mini Mystery Millions (Bounty)
Tue, May 262$5,000 Eight-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, May 273$500 Industry Employees No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, May 274$1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better (7-Handed)
Thu, May 285$5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed)
Thu, May 286$1,500 Seven Card Stud
Fri, May 297$25,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship
Fri, May 298$1,500 Badugi
Sat, May 309$10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship
Sun, May 3110$600 Deepstack No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, May 3111$10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller NLH
Sun, May 3112$1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw (7-Handed)
Mon, Jun 113$1,500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Mon, Jun 114$1,500 Mixed: PLO8; Omaha 8; “Big O” (8-Handed)
Tue, Jun 215$600 Deepstack Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed)
Tue, Jun 216$1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship No-Limit Holdem
Tue, Jun 217$10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship
Wed, Jun 318$1,500 MONSTER STACK No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jun 319$25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed)
Wed, Jun 320$1,500 Dealers Choice (7-Handed)
Thu, Jun 421$1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better (8-Handed)
Fri, Jun 522$1,500 Big O
Fri, Jun 523$10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship
Sat, Jun 624$25,000 High Roller Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, Jun 725$500 Freezeout No-Limit Holdem
Sun, Jun 726$2,000 No-Limit Holdem
Sun, Jun 727$10,000 Dealers Choice Championship (7-Handed)
Mon, Jun 828$600 Deepstack Mixed NLH; PLO (8-Handed)
Mon, Jun 829$50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed)
Mon, Jun 830$1,500 Limit Hold’em (7-Handed)
Tue, Jun 931$1,500 Super Turbo Bounty NLH ($500 Bounty)
Tue, Jun 932$3,000 No-Limit Holdem
Tue, Jun 933$10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Championship
Wed, Jun 1034$500 COLOSSUS No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jun 1035$1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed)
Wed, Jun 1036$100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jun 1037$1,500 H.O.R.S.E. (8-Handed)
Thu, Jun 1138$10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship (7-Handed)
Fri, Jun 1239$5,000 Seniors High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
Fri, Jun 1240$1,500 Razz
Sat, Jun 1341$250,000 Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
Sat, Jun 1342$10,000 Big O Championship
Sun, Jun 1443$800 Eight-Handed Deepstack No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, Jun 1444$10,000 Super Turbo Bounty NLH ($3,000 Bounty)
Sun, Jun 1445$2,500 Mixed Omaha/Stud Hi-Lo (8-Handed)
Mon, Jun 1546$1,000 SENIORS No-Limit Hold’em Championship
Mon, Jun 1547$25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed)
Mon, Jun 1548$10,000 Razz Championship
Tue, Jun 1649$2,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jun 1750$1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jun 1751$10,000 Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jun 1752$3,000 Nine Game Mix (7-Handed)
Thu, Jun 1853$1,500 Five Card Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed)
Thu, Jun 1854$10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship (8-Handed)
Fri, Jun 1955$50,000 HIGH ROLLER Pot-Limit Omaha
Fri, Jun 1956$3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Sat, Jun 2057$1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed)
Sat, Jun 2058$1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw (6-Handed)
Sun, Jun 2159$500 SALUTE TO WARRIORS – No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, Jun 2160$50,000 Poker Players Championship (7-Handed)
Mon, Jun 2261$1,000 SUPER SENIORS No-Limit Hold’em
Mon, Jun 2262$2,500 No-Limit Hold’em
Tue, Jun 2363$1,000 Mystery Millions
Tue, Jun 2364$25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed (8-Handed)
Tue, Jun 2365$1,500 Freezeout No-Limit Holdem
Wed, Jun 2466$1,000/Team TAG TEAM No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jun 2467$10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Champ
Thu, Jun 2568$10,000/$1,000 LADIES No-Limit Hold’em
Thu, Jun 2569$1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better
Fri, Jun 2670$10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship (8-Handed)
Sat, Jun 2771$2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event (6-Handed)
Sun, Jun 2872$1,000 MINI Main Event No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, Jun 2873$5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, Jun 2874$1,500 8-Game Mixed (7-Handed)
Mon, Jun 2975$10,000 Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship
Tue, Jun 3076$100,000 HIGH ROLLER Pot-Limit Omaha
Tue, Jun 3077$2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball
Wed, Jul 178$600 Deepstack Championship NLH
Wed, Jul 179$3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jul 180$10,000 8-Game Mixed Championship
Thu, Jul 281$800 Summer Celebration No-Limit Hold’em
Thu, Jul 282$10,000 MAIN EVENT World Championship
Thu, Jul 283$1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot PLO
Fri, Jul 384$5,000 Super Turbo Bounty ($1,500 Bounty)
Sat, Jul 485$1,000 No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, Jul 586$600 ULTRA STACK No-limit Hold’em
Tue, Jul 787$1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha
Wed, Jul 888$300 Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jul 889$3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship NLH
Thu, Jul 990$50,000 High Roller NLH (8-Handed)
Thu, Jul 991$1,500 Pick Your PLO (8-Handed)
Fri, Jul 1092$3,000 T.O.R.S.E. (8-Handed)
Sat, Jul 1193$1,500 The Closer No-Limit Hold’em
Sat, Jul 1194$10,000 6-Handed NLH Championship
Sun, Jul 1295$500 Summer Saver No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, Jul 1296$3,000 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha
Mon, Jul 1397$25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E. (8-Handed)
Tue, Jul 1498$800 Deepstack No-Limit Hold’em
Tue, Jul 1499$5,000 Eight-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, Jul 15100$1,000 Super Turbo No-Limit Hold’em

Summer Circuit Debuts in Las Vegas

For the first time, a dedicated WSOP Circuit will run alongside the main bracelet series from July 14–25. This provides an additional opportunity for grinders to capture a coveted gold ring while in town for the 2026 WSOP.

The Summer Circuit schedule includes 18 ring events, such as a $400 Mini Main Event and a $1,700 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event.

♠️ Click to View Full Summer Circuit Ring Schedule
Date#Ring Event
Tue, July 141$400 Mini Main Event
Tue, July 142$600 Omaha Hi-Low Eight or Better
Wed, July 153$600 Pot-Limit Omaha
Thu, July 164$600 T.O.R.S.E.
Fri, July 175$600 Monster Stack
Fri, July 176$800 Pot-Limit Omaha
Sat, July 187$300 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em
Sun, July 198$1,125 No-Limit Hold’em
Mon, July 209$400 Senior No-Limit Hold’em
Mon, July 2010$2,200 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
Tue, July 2111$1,700 Main Event No-Limit Hold’em
Tue, July 2112$600 Bounty No-Limit Hold’em
Wed, July 2213$400 No-Limit Hold’em
Thu, July 2314$400 40 / 40 / 40 No-Limit Hold’em
Thu, July 2315$3,300 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
Fri, July 2416$400 Double Stack No-Limit Hold’em
Fri, July 2417$5,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
Sat, July 2518$400 No-Limit Hold’em

 


Player Logistics and Competitive Updates

Global POY Race

The WSOP Player of the Year (POY) race has undergone a significant overhaul for 2026. For the first time, results from WSOP Europe, WSOP Las Vegas, and WSOP Paradise will all contribute toward a single global leaderboard.

  • Prize Pool: $1 million in total prizes will be awarded to the top 100 finishers.
  • Top Reward: The overall champion receives a $100,000 WSOP Paradise 2026 package.
  • Qualifying Events: Only live bracelet events from the three major festivals will count; online bracelet results have been removed from POY contention.

Streamlined Experience via WSOP+

WSOP Plus App

Players are strongly encouraged to use the WSOP+ app to manage their summer experience (Android)(Apple). This digital tool allows for pre-registration, real-time seat alerts, and the ability to skip cage lines at the venue. ID verification remains a one-time in-person requirement at the Champagne Ballroom in Paris Las Vegas.

Online Qualification

GGPoker remains the primary international path to the series, offering extensive satellite trees through the WSOP Express. Players can win $10,000 Main Event seats for as little as $1 by progressing through tiered qualifying rounds.


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Images courtesy of Poker News & WSOP