WPT Seoul 2026 Makes INSPIRE Debut October 30 With KRW 1 Billion Guaranteed Championship Event

Just over a week remains until WPT Seoul 2026 makes its debut at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea, from October 30 to November 9.

The 11-day festival features 46 events, with buy-ins ranging from KRW 300,000 to KRW 8,000,000.

At the center of the festival is the KRW 1.75 million WPT Seoul Championship Event, which carries a KRW 1 billion guaranteed prize pool and runs from November 5 to 9.

WPT Seoul will be the centerpiece of the grand opening of INSPIRE's new second-floor entertainment space, bringing together the new YY Poker Club, Daia and Ultra Lounge.

Players looking for the full schedule can revisit Somuchpoker's first WPT Seoul 2026 preview, while a separate guide to INSPIRE Entertainment Resort takes a closer look at the festival's new home.

KRW 1 Billion Championship Takes the Spotlight

The WPT Seoul Championship Event begins on November 5 and will play down to a champion on November 9.

Entry is set at KRW 1,750,000, with KRW 1,575,000 going into the prize pool and KRW 175,000 covering the entry fee.

Four starting flights are scheduled across November 5-7. Day 1A opens the Championship Event on November 5, Day 1B follows on November 6, and both Day 1C and the faster Day 1D take place on November 7.

Survivors combine for Day 2 on November 8 before the inaugural WPT Seoul champion is crowned the following day.

Players start with 40,000 chips, registration remains open until the start of Level 10 on each opening flight, and re-entry is permitted during the registration period.

The final table will also be broadcast via a dedicated livestream, giving fans outside Korea the chance to follow the closing stages.

The latest structures, starting times and side-event details are available on the complete WPT Seoul 2026 schedule.

46 Events Across 11 Days

The Championship Event is only one part of a busy schedule at INSPIRE.

WPT has confirmed 46 events across the 11-day festival, with buy-ins starting at KRW 300,000 and climbing to KRW 8 million for the Super High Roller.

The current schedule includes the INSPIRE Superstack, Championship Warm Up and Mystery Bounty, while PLO, bounty, turbo and High Roller events run throughout the series.

The KRW 8 million Super High Roller begins on November 5, followed later in the festival by a KRW 3.5 million High Roller carrying a KRW 150 million guarantee.

For players looking for a lower buy-in Championship option, the KRW 700,000 Mini Championship begins on November 8.

WPT Seoul Opens a New Home for Poker at INSPIRE

WPT Seoul will also be the first poker tournament staged inside INSPIRE's new second-floor entertainment space.

According to WPT, YY Poker Club will feature 70 tables and a dedicated livestream studio, with the poker room joined by Daia and Ultra Lounge in the same new entertainment area. World Poker Tour

The wider INSPIRE Entertainment Resort includes a 1,275-room five-star hotel, a 15,000-seat arena, restaurants, shopping, an indoor water park and South Korea's largest foreigner-only casino.

The resort sits on Yeongjong Island close to Incheon International Airport, making the location particularly convenient for international players flying into Korea.

WPT has also confirmed a Welcome Players Party, while complimentary nightly entertainment will be available at Ultra Lounge throughout the festival. World Poker Tour

WPT Global Satellites Still Offer a Route to Seoul

Players still looking to secure a Championship Event seat have one final online opportunity through WPT Global.

The WPT Seoul satellite path starts from $1.10, progressing through $8.80 satellites into the $88 qualifier.

The final $88 Sunday qualifier runs on October 25 and guarantees three $1,500 WPT Seoul packages.

Each package includes a Day 1A Championship Event entry, $250 in expenses, nightly VIP Ultra Lounge access, Player Party access and exclusive merchandise. Under the promotion terms, the first 30 package winners also receive four complimentary hotel nights.

Steps and satellites continue through October 25, giving players one final route to qualify online before the festival begins five days later.

WPT Seoul Begins October 30

Cards get in the air at INSPIRE on October 30, beginning an 11-day festival that will introduce both WPT Seoul and the new YY Poker Club to an international field.

Between the KRW 1 billion guaranteed Championship Event, the High Roller schedule, online qualification routes, nightly entertainment and the opening of a purpose-built poker space inside one of South Korea's newest integrated resorts, the inaugural festival has plenty going on beyond the tournament tables.

Somuchpoker will be on site throughout WPT Seoul, bringing readers live reporting, chip counts, results, interviews, photos, videos and daily coverage directly from INSPIRE.

Players can check the complete WPT Seoul schedule, read Somuchpoker's full INSPIRE resort guide, or visit the official WPT Seoul event page for the latest Championship information.