The End of an Era? LAPC Main Event Attendance Hits Record Low

My journey in the world of poker (and later casino, sportsbetting) started more than 20 years ago, when I first attended a low-stakes live tournament. I’ve never looked back since, and have been active in several fields, including being a poker player, a live tournament director, writing online and offline articles about poker, and managing the localization of one of the world's largest online poker rooms. Poker is my home ground, I could never imagine doing a job that is not a part of it. I hope someday I’ll have more time to play live; that's something I've missed in the past few years. A game where luck meets skill - what would be more interesting?

Updated: 2026.02.25

LAPC Main Event attendance hits all time low with only 50 entrants

The world of professional poker is shifting, and the latest numbers from Southern California have many players talking. For decades, the LA Poker Classic was a crown jewel on the tournament calendar. However, the 2026 LAPC Main Event has just recorded its lowest turnout in history, marking a surprising decline for one of the game’s most storied traditions.

A Steep Drop in Numbers

When registration officially closed this past Monday at the Commerce Casino, the scoreboard showed a shocking final tally: just 50 entries. To put that into perspective, the event once regularly attracted hundreds of the world’s best players and boasted multi-million dollar prize pools.

The decline has been rapid. In 2020, the tournament saw 490 entrants. Fast forward to 2025, and that number dropped to 145. Now, with only 50 players in the field, the 2026 edition has become a shadow of its former self.

LAPC 2019 - David Baker — David Baker- winner of LA Poker Classic 2019, 546 entries with a first prize of $1,015,000

Why is Poker Tournament Attendance Falling in LA?

Several factors seem to be working against the legendary series. Since the partnership with the World Poker Tour (WPT) ended after the pandemic, the event has lacked the global marketing “punch” it once had.

Additionally, the schedule is more crowded than ever. Between major events in Las Vegas, Paris, and North Carolina, many pros are simply choosing to play elsewhere. Local pro Matt Salsberg noted that the lack of guaranteed prize pools and satellite seats has made it harder to draw a crowd.

“It’s unfair to compare WPT-sponsored events to non-sponsored ones, but the falloff is definitely more drastic than expected,” shared Los Angeles poker player Derek Kwan . “The LAPC specifically has lost its luster.”

Key Factors for the Decline at the LAPC Main Event:

Loss of Branding: The end of the WPT partnership removed a major international spotlight.
Tough Competition: Overlapping schedules with series at the Wynn and EPT Paris.
No Guarantees: A lack of guaranteed prize pools has reduced the “must-play” excitement.
Tax Hurdles: California’s 7% tax withholding for non-residents can discourage out-of-state visitors.

Looking Toward the Future

Despite the low numbers, the LAPC Main Event remains a prestigious title. Many hope that the Commerce Casino will find a way to revitalize the brand in the coming years. For now, the 2026 event serves as a reminder of how quickly the poker landscape can change.