2026 World Series of Poker Schedule Features 100 Events, $1 Million POY Prize Pool

^{Poker’s biggest stage returns to Sin City on May 26, as the 2026 WSOP yet again brings 100 bracelet events to Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. (Image: WSOP)}

It is the annual pilgrimage of the poker world to Las Vegas for an eight-week bacchanalia of card playing. The 57^th Annual World Series of Poker will return to Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas this year, beginning on May 26. 

The schedule features 100 events, ranging from the tried-and-true Main Event to tournaments designed to keep patrons engaged and active. 

Main Event Begins on July 2

The WSOP has been the most significant poker competition in town for more than a decade, driven by its stalwart $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em World Championship. Now known as “The Main Event,” the tournament will start on July 2, with ten days of play culminating in the crowning of poker’s next World Champion on July 13.

To date, there are no firm dates for broadcast coverage of The Main Event, nor are there any announcements regarding the event's broadcasters. But international fans of the tournament will be able to tune into a daily stream on the official WSOP YouTube channel. 

Located in Paris Las Vegas, this outlet is expected to allow the world to settle in and watch some of poker’s biggest names in their natural setting. 

“Our favorite time of year is around the corner,” said Jack Effel, the Senior Vice President of Poker Operations at Caesars Entertainment. “This summer's World Series of Poker promises more action and more opportunities to play your favorite events than ever before, from the first ‘Shuffle Up and Deal!’ to the crowning of the Main Event champion.”

Alongside The Main Event, other staple tournaments that have proven their worth are back on the 2026 schedule. 

The $25,000 Heads Up No Limit Hold’em World Championship will be one of the first marquee events, limited to 64 players and running for three days, beginning on May 29. Those looking for a more wallet-friendly option will once again find The COLOSSUS ($500 buy-in) and the MONSTER STACK ($1,500 buy-in), which will commence on June 3 and June 10, respectively. 

But everyone likes the big money events … that’s where the stars come out to play! One of the biggest buy-ins on the schedule is usually the Poker Players’ Championship on June 21. It's a $50,000 buy-in, mixed-game format, ensuring that only the crème de la crème of the poker world like three-time winner Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, enters the fray. But this year will feature a mind-boggling $250,000 Super High Roller No Limit Hold’em tournament, running over three days beginning on June 13. 

New Tournaments on the Roster

With 100 events, you’ve got to ensure that you do not duplicate tournaments. The WSOP will do this by creating first-time tournaments featuring tie-ins with its owner, GGPoker. 

The first tournament of the 2026 WSOP schedule, a Mini-Mystery Millions tournament, features a $500 buy-in tournament with a $1 million bounty prize guaranteed. In Event #11, the GGMillion$ High Roller will be featured on May 31. This should build a big pool of players with two starting days and a $10,000 buy-in. 

The WSOP isn’t all Texas Hold’em, however. Other additions included Event #53, a Five Card Pot Limit Omaha tournament with a $1,500 buy-in on June 18, and a Dealer’s Choice “Pick Your PLO” variation with a $1,500 buy-in on July 9.

“As we saw in 2025, thousands of incredible stories are waiting to be told at the World Series of Poker,” said Ty Stewart, the Chief Executive Officer of WSOP. “We’re more committed than ever to being poker’s unquestioned biggest stage and to shining a brighter spotlight on our favorite game.” 

$1 Million Player of the Year Competition and New Circuit Event

For this year’s WSOP, the competition for the Player of the Year will begin before the cards fly in Las Vegas. 

The WSOP Europe will kick off from March 31 through April 12, and it is once again counted toward the overall POY standings. For this year’s battle, the players will be squaring off for a $1 million prize pool, with the eventual champion earning a $100,000 WSOP Paradise prize package. 

The action doesn't stop when the WSOP ends on July 13. The WSOP Circuit will pick up where the main WSOP ends, starting a run of ring-awarding events from July 14-25. As with its big brother, the WSOP Circuit events will feature a range of online satellites on GGPoker for players to enter at low cost. 

Daniel Negreanu, seven-time bracelet winner and GGPoker ambassador, emphasized the accessibility of this year’s qualifiers:

“GGPoker’s WSOP Express satellites allow enthusiasts all over the world to follow in the footsteps of their heroes. Whether you are an international player qualifying via GGPoker or a domestic U.S. player winning your seat via WSOP Online, we want to see you taking your shot at the gold in 2026!” 

It is time to start looking at the calendar and seeing what dates work for you, either to play or to watch the world of poker unfold in front of you! Reduced room rates are available at several Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas by visiting Caesars.com and using promo code WSOP26 to book.

For a full view of the schedule, either visit the WSOP website or utilize their app, WSOP+, to learn more.