Global Poker Awards Return at WSOP Paradise in December

The Global Poker Awards are returning after organizers previously announced the ceremony would not return in 2026. The seventh edition of the awards will take place on December 4 at Baha Mar in the Bahamas, coinciding with the opening days of WSOP Paradise.

This year's ceremony will put a stronger emphasis on player achievements, personalities, and poker content creators. With the event moving to an established poker festival, organizers are also hoping to attract more of the game's biggest names and improve attendance.

Global Poker Awards Return With a New Focus

The Global Poker Index (GPI) and The Hendon Mob, who jointly organize the awards, announced in November 2025 that the ceremony would not return in 2026. The decision was attributed partly to the considerable time and resources required to prepare and produce the event.

However, the organizers have now reversed that decision, bringing the awards back with a revised format and a new location.

Unlike previous editions, which included numerous categories recognizing players, media personalities, and other industry figures, the 2026 Global Poker Awards will focus primarily on players and their contributions to the game over the past 12 months.

The ceremony will feature 11 award categories:

The revised lineup places greater emphasis on tournament and cash game performances, while also recognizing the personalities and content creators who help bring poker to a wider audience.

Global Poker Awards Open Fan Voting for Most Entertaining Player

While nominees for most categories are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, voting is already open for the Fans' Choice: Most Entertaining Player award.

Ten players have been shortlisted for the community vote:

• Alan Keating

• Dan "Jungleman" Cates

• Daniel Negreanu

• Nik "Airball" Arcot

• Phil Hellmuth

• Randy "3Coin" Sadler

• Will Givens

• Jennifer Tilly

• Michael "Grinder" Mizrachi

• Phil Laak

Fans can cast their votes through the Global Poker Index, with the voting period closing on November 3. This is currently the only category in which the poker community directly determines the winner.

WSOP Paradise Move Could Improve GPA Attendance

One of the main changes for the 2026 Global Poker Awards is the decision to hold the ceremony alongside WSOP Paradise.

The event will take place on December 4 at Baha Mar in the Bahamas, where many of the world's leading poker players will already be gathered for the festival. This could help address one of the problems experienced by previous editions: limited attendance from professional players.

The sixth Global Poker Awards ceremony, held in February 2025, reportedly struggled to attract players. Daniel Negreanu also discussed the attendance issue on an episode of his Mania Podcast, highlighting the difficulty of getting poker professionals to attend a standalone awards event.

By scheduling the ceremony during WSOP Paradise, organizers can bring the awards directly to a location already attracting a large concentration of poker players.

The return of the Global Poker Awards therefore represents more than just the revival of an annual ceremony. With a more player-focused lineup and a new setting, the organizers are hoping to give the event a stronger connection to the poker community.

Global Poker Awards 2026 – Event Details

Note: The November 3 deadline applies only to the Fans' Choice: Most Entertaining Player category. Nominees and voting details for the other categories will be announced separately.

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