2026 WPT World Championship Schedule Anticipates Massive Fields at Wynn Poker Room in December
Schuyler Thornton, the defending WPT World Champion, celebrates his nearly $2.3 million payday — a glimpse at the massive rewards on offer at poker's biggest winter event in Las Vegas. (Photo: courtesy of WPT)
LAS VEGAS – The WPT finally unveiled its World Championship Festival Schedule at Wynn Las Vegas on Monday. The sometimes impatient poker world’s been clamoring for the schedule as it was released last year nearly a week earlier, on Sept. 8.
This year’s festival runs a full month, from Nov. 27 – Dec. 21, compared to last year’s three weeks from Dec. 2 – 22.
Last year there were 78 tournaments, few with individual guarantees, after 2024 guarantees stuck the WPT with some relatively massive overlays.
In 2026, there will be 85 tournaments with more than $20 million in guarantees. Multiple satellites will be held, including a $200 option for the $1,100 Ladies No Limit Hold’em Championship.
Other highlights include the $1,100 WPT Prime Championship, with a $5 million guarantee, held from December 5-12. Last year’s Prime event drew a record-smashing 9,876 players.
A new event is the $400 Super Gold Million, a live event with a $3 million guarantee. It will be held December 10-14.
But the big event is the $10,400 WPT World Championship, running Dec. 13 - 20. Last year the tournament drew 1,865 entries, and paid nearly $2.3 million to winner Schuyler “Big Sky” Thornton, a poker pro from Austin, Texas.
To sweeten the World Championship pot this year, the WPT is adding $1 million in mystery bounties.
Tony Dunst, host of the WPT, clarified that “the bounties come entirely from the million added to the prize pool,” and not from the $10,400 buy in.
Affection for the WPT World Championship
The WPT World Championship has been at Wynn Las Vegas since December 2022, and serves as the grand year-end championship festival for the tour.
This December will make it the fifth edition at the Wynn. Before that, the event bounced around under different names (WPT Championship, WPT Tournament of Champions) and venues (Bellagio, Borgata, Aria), typically in springtime rather than December.
I’ve worked many years interviewing players at this championship, and I love the Wynn and especially their poker room. The event makes me think of Matt Savage dressed as Santa at a WPT meet-up game and Jamie Kerstetter handing out gift bags at a ladies meet-up. I got to interview Phil Ivey there and we all know how I feel about Espresso’s shrimp caesar salad.
Pricing for the WPT’s premiere festival seems to be running counter to WSOP Paradise, whose tournaments run from $2,750 for their Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty to $250,000 for their Super High Roller Pro-Am no limit hold’em event.
The WPT price range spans from $400 for the Super Gold Million to $25,800 for the no limit hold ‘em High Roller event.
“Really love this schedule,” player Hayley Hanna posted on X. “Practical for moms and people who want to maintain a good work/family/life balance.”
Structure sheets will be released soon according to WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage.
Complete WPT World Championship Festival Schedule
| Date | Time | Event | Buy-In | GTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1A | $600 | $400K |
| Nov 27 | 12 p.m. | TORSE | $600 | – |
| Nov 27 | 1 p.m. | PLO | $400 | – |
| Nov 27 | 5 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1B | $600 | $400K |
| Nov 28 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1C | $600 | $400K |
| Nov 28 | 12 p.m. | Mixed Triple Draw (A-5, 2-7, Badugi) | $600 | – |
| Nov 28 | 5 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1D | $600 | $400K |
| Nov 29 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1E | $600 | $400K |
| Nov 29 | 6 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1F Turbo | $600 | $400K |
| Nov 30 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1A | $800 | $1M |
| Nov 30 | 12 p.m. | Limit Omaha 8 | $600 | – |
| Nov 30 | 1 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 2 | – | – |
| Nov 30 | 5 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1B | $800 | $1M |
| Dec 1 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1C | $800 | $1M |
| Dec 1 | 12 p.m. | Limit Omaha 8/Stud 8 | $600 | – |
| Dec 1 | 1 p.m. | PLO | $1,100 | – |
| Dec 1 | 5 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1D | $800 | $1M |
| Dec 2 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1E | $800 | $1M |
| Dec 2 | 6 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1F Turbo | $800 | $1M |
| Dec 3 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1A | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 3 | 1 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 4 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1B | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 4 | 12 p.m. | HORSE | $600 | – |
| Dec 4 | 1 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Final Table | – | – |
| Dec 5 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 5 | 11 a.m. | WPT Prime Championship Day 1A | $1,100 | $5M |
| Dec 5 | 9 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 6 | 11 a.m. | WPT Prime Championship Day 1B | $1,100 | $5M |
| Dec 6 | 11 a.m. | PLO Mystery Bounty Day 1A | $1,600 | $500K |
| Dec 6 | 12 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $1,100 Prime Championship** | $200 | 50 Seats |
| Dec 6 | 6 p.m. | PLO Mystery Bounty Day 1B Turbo | $1,600 | $500K |
| Dec 6 | 9 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 7 | 11 a.m. | WPT Prime Championship Day 1C | $1,100 | $5M |
| Dec 7 | 11 a.m. | HORSE (2 Day) | $1,100 | – |
| Dec 7 | 12 p.m. | PLO Mystery Bounty Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 7 | 1 p.m. | PLO $500 Bounty | $1,600 | $100K |
| Dec 7 | 7 p.m. | Milestone Satellite Package to Prime and World Championship** | $1,600 | 25 Prizes |
| Dec 7 | 9 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 8 | 11 a.m. | WPT Prime Championship Day 1D | $1,100 | $5M |
| Dec 8 | 7 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 8 | 9 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 9 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em (2 Day) | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 9 | 12 p.m. | WPT Prime Championship Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 9 | 1 p.m. | PLO $1,000 Bounty | $3,000 | $250K |
| Dec 9 | 1 p.m. | Limit Omaha 8 | $800 | – |
| Dec 9 | 2 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 9 | 7 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 9 | 9 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 10 | 10 a.m. | Super Gold Million Day 1A | $400 | $3M |
| Dec 10 | 12 p.m. | WPT Prime Championship Day 3 | – | – |
| Dec 10 | 6 p.m. | Super Gold Million Day 1B Turbo | $400 | $3M |
| Dec 11 | 10 a.m. | Super Gold Million Day 1C | $400 | $3M |
| Dec 11 | 12 p.m. | WPT Prime Championship Day 4 | – | – |
| Dec 11 | 6 p.m. | Super Gold Million Day 1D Turbo | $400 | $3M |
| Dec 12 | 10 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em | $800 | $100K |
| Dec 12 | 1 p.m. | PLO | $3,000 | $250K |
| Dec 12 | 2 p.m. | WPT Prime Championship Final Table | – | – |
| Dec 12 | 2 p.m. | Super Gold Million Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 12 | 2 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship 1A/B** | $1,100 | 75 Seats |
| Dec 12 | 4 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $1,100 Ladies NLH Championship** | $200 | 10 Seats |
| Dec 12 | 7 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship 1A/B** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 12 | 9 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 13 | 11 a.m. | WPT World Championship Day 1A · $1M Added | $10,400 | – |
| Dec 13 | 11 a.m. | Ladies NLH Championship (2 Day) | $1,100**** | $250K |
| Dec 13 | 11 a.m. | TORSE (2 Day) | $1,100 | – |
| Dec 13 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1A | $800 | $500K |
| Dec 13 | 12 p.m. | PLO Day 1A | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 13 | 12 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship 1B** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 13 | 1 p.m. | Super Gold Million Day 3 | – | – |
| Dec 13 | 6 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship 1B/C** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 14 | 11 a.m. | WPT World Championship Day 1B · $1M Added | $10,400 | – |
| Dec 14 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1B | $800 | $500K |
| Dec 14 | 12 p.m. | PLO Day 1B | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 14 | 12 p.m. | Mixed Triple Draw (A-5, 2-7, Badugi) (2 Day) | $1,100 | – |
| Dec 14 | 12 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship 1C** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 14 | 2 p.m. | Super Gold Million Final Table | – | – |
| Dec 14 | 6 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship 1C** | $1,100 | 25 Seats |
| Dec 14 | 7 p.m. | PLO Turbo | $1,100 | $100K |
| Dec 14 | 9 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 15 | 11 a.m. | WPT World Championship Day 1C · $1M Added | $10,400 | – |
| Dec 15 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 15 | 11 a.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship 1C/Day 2** | $1,100 | 10 Seats |
| Dec 15 | 12 p.m. | PLO Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 15 | 12 p.m. | Big O | $1,100 | – |
| Dec 15 | 1 p.m. | PLO Progressive Bounty (PKO) | $3,000 | $250K |
| Dec 15 | 6 p.m. | Milestone Satellite to $10,400 World Championship Day 2** | $1,100 | 10 Seats |
| Dec 15 | 7 p.m. | NLH $500 Bounty Turbo | $1,600 | $100K |
| Dec 16 | 11 a.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1A | $1,100 | $1M |
| Dec 16 | 12 p.m. | WPT World Championship Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 16 | 12 p.m. | PLO Double Board Bomb Pot | $800 | – |
| Dec 16 | 1 p.m. | PLO 6-Max | $10,500***** | – |
| Dec 16 | 1 p.m. | HORSE | $800 | – |
| Dec 16 | 7 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1B Turbo | $1,100 | $1M |
| Dec 17 | 11 a.m. | Seniors NLH Championship (3 Day) | $1,100 | $500K |
| Dec 17 | 11 a.m. | Wynn Mixed Championship (2 Day) | $1,600 | – |
| Dec 17 | 12 p.m. | WPT World Championship Day 3 | – | – |
| Dec 17 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 17 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1A | $3,000 | $2M |
| Dec 17 | 1 p.m. | NLH High Roller (2 Day) | $25,800***** | – |
| Dec 18 | 12 p.m. | WPT World Championship Day 4 | – | – |
| Dec 18 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 1B | $3,000 | $2M |
| Dec 18 | 12 p.m. | Limit Omaha 8 Championship (2 Day) | $1,600 | – |
| Dec 18 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em | $600 | $100K |
| Dec 18 | 1 p.m. | NLH 6-Max | $10,500***** | – |
| Dec 18 | 6 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $1,100 | $100K |
| Dec 19 | 11 a.m. | Seniors High Roller (3 Day) | $5,000 | $250K |
| Dec 19 | 11 a.m. | NLH Mystery Bounty Day 1A | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 19 | 12 p.m. | WPT World Championship Day 5 | – | – |
| Dec 19 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 19 | 1 p.m. | PLO | $10,500***** | – |
| Dec 19 | 1 p.m. | NLH 6-Max | $3,000 | $500K |
| Dec 19 | 1 p.m. | TORSE Championship (2 Day) | $1,600 | – |
| Dec 19 | 6 p.m. | NLH 6-Max Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 19 | 7 p.m. | NLH Mystery Bounty Day 1B Turbo | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 20 | 11 a.m. | NLH Mystery Bounty Day 1C | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 20 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em Final Table | – | – |
| Dec 20 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 20 | 1 p.m. | NLH 8-Max | $10,500***** | – |
| Dec 20 | 1 p.m. | Mixed Triple Draw (A-5, 2-7, Badugi) | $600 | – |
| Dec 20 | 2 p.m. | WPT World Championship Final Table | – | – |
| Dec 20 | 6 p.m. | 5-Card PLO Turbo | $600 | $50K |
| Dec 20 | 7 p.m. | NLH Mystery Bounty Day 1D Turbo | $1,600 | $1M |
| Dec 21 | 12 p.m. | No Limit Hold'em | $1,100 | $100K |
| Dec 21 | 1 p.m. | NLH Mystery Bounty Day 2 | – | – |
| Dec 21 | 6 p.m. | NLH Turbo | $600 | $50K |
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Meet The Author
Christina Bradfield has more than 20 years of experience as an award-winning editor and writer, beginning her journalism career at the Santa Barbara News-Press after graduating from UC Santa Barbara. She found her way into poker and gaming nearly a decade later while covering the WSOP Main Event. There she interviewed some of the game’s most compelling characters. She’s been featured in multiple poker publications and is passionate about women in poker, the gaming industry, Vegas, and maintaining integrity in reporting.
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