The U Series Championship (often referred to as USC or the successor to the former USOP brand) is officially heading back to the vibrant city of Osaka. After multiple highly successful stops over the past year, the tour revisits the prestigious Dojima River Forum from April 29 to May 6, 2026, promising nine days of action-packed poker in Japan ’s cultural and culinary heart.

Known for its unique production and player-focussed approach, the U Series Championship Osaka 2026 is expected to be another standout fixture on the Asian poker circuit, following the recent success of it’s Q1 event at the Umeda Sky Building .

The Return of a Regional Giant

U Series Championship

The series is built around a schedule designed for maximum action, headlined by the prestigious Main Event and the Elite High Roller. While the full schedule and guarantees are set to be released soon, expectations are high following the brand’s recent VND 120 Billion announcement for their Vietnam stop .

Players can expect the same player-focused innovation that defines every U Series festival. During the 2025 series in Osaka, organisers made headlines by responding to real-time demand for more high-stakes events and hosting the legendary “GACKT’s Party.” That exclusive event saw entertainment icon GACKT face off against celebrities like Babe Weng , Lyla and qualifier Federico Faranda , a testament to the USC’s ability to blend professional poker with high-tier entertainment.

A Continuously Innovating Brand

The tour is known out for providing unique, highly considered fixtures during its events, aiming to both enhance player experience and highlight local cultures. Previous examples include the Mystery Dragon, a bounty event with a “Samurai” twist where players drew swords to reveal prizes, and the SE7EN Dragon Championship, which pitted representatives from seven countries against each other in a battle of national pride.

The second stop of 2026 aims to continue this momentum, which will be sure to offer a diverse range of buy-ins and formats that cater to everything from the Ladies’ Championship to Turbo PLO events.

The Race for Player of the Series

All eyes will be on the Player of the Series leaderboard. Currently, the spotlight remains on Shimada Shinobu , whose stellar performance in the previous stop have set the benchmark for the tour. As the series returns to Osaka, the community is waiting to see if a new face will emerge to claim the throne or if Shinobu will continue his dominance.

Beyond the felt, Osaka’s “Kuidaore” (eat until you drop) culture and the sleek architecture of the Dojima River Forum ensure that players have a world-class experience from the moment they bag their chips.

For more information, visit useriespoker.com or contact [email protected]