PokerGO and PokerStars Revive the National Heads-Up Poker Championship

^{World champion Michael Mizrachi (center) headlines the returning National Heads-Up Poker Championship, alongside a mix of poker pros and celebrity challengers. (Photo: Courtesy of PokerGO)}

The golden age of poker TV is making a comeback. PokerGO and PokerStars are joining forces to resurrect the long-dormant National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHUPC), the 64-player invitational that once helped launch the boom of online poker and brought poker’s biggest stars into America’s living rooms.

The revival, announced Monday, taps into the format’s nostalgic appeal: single-elimination, one-on-one matchups -- March Madness style -- and a $25,000 buy-in. The tournament is slated to return this fall, with broadcasts beginning on NBC’s Peacock before appearing on PokerGO and PokerStars.

“The National Heads-Up Poker Championship helped define the golden era of televised poker,” PokerGo President (and Poker Hall of Famer) Mori Eskandani said. “We’re proud to bring it back and share it with a new generation of fans.”

Mizrachi, Moneymaker, Seidel and Celebs Confirmed

PokerGO recently acquired NBC Sports' poker archives, which included the original NHUPC broadcasts. That deal paved the way for a relaunch -- and a partial player list has already dropped.

Leading the field is reigning WSOP Main Event champion Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi. He’ll be joined by Chris Moneymaker, Erik Seidel, Doug Polk, Phil Galfond, Shaun Deeb (2025 WSOP Player of the Year), and EPT champion Liv Boeree.

But the NHUPC always thrived on mixing top-tier talent with mainstream appeal. This year’s celebrity roster already includes former NFL star Richard Seymour, comedian Rob Riggle, Fox Sports host Nick Wright, and Survivor legend Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano.

“Bringing back shows like the National Heads-Up Poker Championship is one of the most exciting ways to reignite interest in poker,” said Francine Watson, NBC Sports’ associate director of content and creative services. “With a mix of celebrities and top pros, it’s the kind of event that draws in poker enthusiasts while appealing to the masses.”

A Brief but Impactful History of Heads-Up Poker

Debuting in 2005, the NHUPC became a cultural marker for poker’s mid-2000s boom. The $25,000 buy-in tournament is fondly etched in the annals of poker lore. NBC’s primetime coverage gave the tournament a legitimacy few poker broadcasts had enjoyed, with Phil Hellmuth winning the first event and a string of elite champions following.

Among its memorable moments, year-by-year:

• 2005: Phil Hellmuth wins the inaugural event by beating Chris Ferguson, who at the time was still a good guy in poker.
• 2006: Ferguson would again return to the final round, but this time losing to Ted Forrest.
• 2007: Paul Wasicka, fresh off his 2006 WSOP runner-up finish, beating the late Chad Brown 2-0 in a surprise NHUPC win.
• 2008: Ferguson would finally break through, taking down the title by beating his Full Tilt compatriot Andy Bloch.
• 2009: Vanessa Rousso became the first woman to reach the final but lost to Huck Seed.
• 2010: Annie Duke went one better, defeating Seidel for the title.
• 2011: Seidel finally claimed his NHUPC crown, topping Moneymaker.
• 2012: No sponsor, no event.
• 2013 (final edition): Mike Matusow edged Hellmuth in a 2-1 battle.

The tournament sputtered after 2011’s “Black Friday” crackdown on online poker, which implicated many event sponsors. A brief return in 2013 marked its last run until now.

What to Expect in 2025

Broadcast dates haven’t been finalized, nor has a venue been revealed. Previous editions of the tournament were played at the Golden Nugget and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, but PokerGO now regularly films its high-stakes content from its dedicated studio at the Aria. 

Organizers did confirm that the event will stream first on Peacock, followed by PokerGO and PokerStars. No official word on who will handle commentary, though PokerStars’ popular duo James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton are rumored to return.

Whether it’s nostalgia, novelty, or just good poker, the NHUPC’s return could be a reminder of why heads-up battles once captivated the country -- and why they still might.