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Published 2026.05.26
Updated 2026.05.27
9 min read
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Daily coverage of the 2026 World Series of Poker is free to watch from start to finish. YouTube streams begin May 29, the ESPN App carries the Main Event from July 2 at no cost, and the final table airs live on ESPN2 from August 3 to 5 (cable or streaming TV required for the finale).

Where to watch the 2026 WSOP with free YouTube streams ESPN Main Event coverage and PokerGO subscription options

This is the most accessible WSOP in the series’ 57-year history. Daily coverage runs free on YouTube and the ESPN App, with French-language streams in parallel from Day 1. PokerGO remains the paid option for viewers who want the full catalogue of bracelet event streams and on-demand replays.

For the full schedule, qualification paths, and bracelet results, see our complete WSOP 2026 coverage page.

Free Coverage on YouTube

For most viewers, YouTube is the simplest way to watch the 2026 WSOP. Two channels carry daily coverage from May 29 through the end of the series, both completely free with no geographic restrictions.

WSOP YouTube Channel (English)

The official WSOP YouTube channel streams daily from May 29 in English. Coverage includes featured tables with cards-up commentary, final tables, and a daily recap show summarising the day’s key moments.

Multiple streams will run simultaneously on most days, covering different events. This is the first year the WSOP has committed to free daily YouTube coverage running from series opening through the Main Event.

In previous years, free streams were limited or handled by third-party partners. In 2025, PokerStars provided some free coverage through a separate deal. For 2026, the WSOP is handling it directly on its own channel.

Winamax YouTube (French)

Winamax Poker’s YouTube channel broadcasts the full 2026 series for free in French, starting May 29. Coverage runs nightly with up to 10 hours of programming per evening, featuring popular French commentators and professional players as guests.

Main Event coverage runs from July 2, and the final table will be available on Winamax’s channel after ESPN’s live US broadcast window. This is the deepest partnership between Winamax and the WSOP to date. French-speaking viewers anywhere in the world can access it.

ESPN Coverage

ESPN returns to WSOP coverage after a five-year absence. The network broadcast the Main Event from 1987 through 2020 before coverage moved to CBS Sports Network in 2021. The new multi-year deal, announced on March 26, 2026, brings the Main Event back to the network that helped build the game’s mainstream audience.

Our breakdown of the WSOP’s multi-year ESPN broadcast deal covers the full business details and what it means for the game.

ESPN App: Daily Main Event Coverage From July 2

Live Main Event coverage begins on the ESPN App when Day 1A kicks off on July 2. ESPN streams at least six hours per day, with three featured tables running simultaneously during the early flights.

The ESPN App is free to download on iOS and Android. Main Event coverage will not be paywalled, making this a genuinely free option alongside YouTube.

Main Event Final Table on ESPN2 (August 3 to 5)

The final nine players will be set on July 13. After a 20-day break, they return for a three-night live finale on ESPN2: August 3, 4, and 5, from 9 PM to midnight Eastern Time each night.

During the break, ESPN will air specially produced primetime episodes profiling each finalist’s path through the tournament. The format mirrors the November Nine era (2008 to 2016) but with a tighter three-week window instead of four months.

  • ESPN App: free daily Main Event streaming from July 2. At least six hours per day with three simultaneous featured tables during early rounds.
  • ESPN linear networks: edited episodes throughout the series, plus curated primetime episodes profiling each finalist during the 20-day break.
  • ESPN2: three-night live Main Event final table, August 3 to 5, 9 PM to midnight Eastern Time.
  • Production: Omaha Productions (Peyton Manning's company) is producing approximately 100 hours of WSOP programming annually.

PokerGO (Subscription)

PokerGO has been the primary WSOP streaming platform since 2017. It streams featured championship tables throughout the series across all formats: No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, mixed games, and high-roller events.

For 2026, expect daily featured table coverage from late May through the Main Event. PokerGO also hosts on-demand replays of every streamed event, plus original shows like High Stakes Poker and No Gamble, No Future.

The on-demand library is the main advantage over free YouTube coverage. If you are in a time zone where live coverage airs overnight, you can watch any streamed event after it finishes.

PokerGO also posts select highlights and past streams for free on its own YouTube channel. The live coverage and full on-demand library require a subscription.

PokerGO Subscription Pricing

PokerGO offers four tiers at pokergo.com. All plans include full access to live streams and the on-demand library.

  • Monthly: $19.99 per month.
  • Quarterly: $39.99 per three months (equivalent to $13.33 per month).
  • Annual: $99.99 per year (equivalent to $8.33 per month).
  • PokerGO VIP: $299.99 per year. Includes PokerU strategy content (powered by Run It Once) and a $25 PokerGO Shop gift card.

Promo codes are usually available during the WSOP, with previous event-specific codes offering $20 off the annual plan.

Do you need PokerGO in 2026? If you only want to watch the Main Event, the ESPN App and YouTube are both free. PokerGO is worth it if you want featured table coverage across all 100 bracelet events, on-demand replays in your time zone, and the full original show library. For casual viewers, the free options are enough.

Device Compatibility

PokerGO works on iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and any web browser at pokergo.com. You can cast from mobile devices to a TV.

WSOP 2026 free vs paid viewing platforms showing WSOP YouTube ESPN App and Winamax as free options and PokerGO as the paid option
WSOP 2026 free vs paid viewing options

Other Ways to Follow the WSOP

Not everyone can sit and watch a live stream for six hours. These alternatives let you follow the action in different formats.

Live Text Updates (Free)

Our WSOP 2026 results tracker is updated daily with every bracelet winner, field size, prize pool, and weekly recaps. If you can not watch video, this is the fastest way to stay current on the series from your phone or at work.

Player Vlogs on YouTube

Several well-known players vlog their WSOP experience daily on YouTube. These give a behind-the-scenes perspective on the series that broadcast coverage does not capture: the grind of playing multiple events, the lows of busting, and the daily life around the Horseshoe and Paris.

Popular WSOP vloggers include Brad Owen, Andrew Neeme, Mariano, Johnnie Vibes, Ethan “Rampage” Yau, Kevin Martin, and Wolfgang Poker. Daniel Negreanu also vlogs portions of his schedule. Search “WSOP 2026 vlog” on YouTube once the series begins.

Social Media

The official @WSOP account on X posts bracelet winner announcements, chip counts, and highlight clips throughout the series. Most major poker media outlets (PokerNews, PGT, Card Player) also post real-time updates. Following the #WSOP2026 hashtag is a quick way to stay current.

How to Watch the WSOP From Outside the US

International viewers have more options in 2026 than in any previous year. Most of the WSOP coverage is accessible worldwide without geographic restrictions.

  • WSOP YouTube (English): free worldwide access from May 29. No geographic restrictions.
  • Winamax YouTube (French): free worldwide access from May 29. Up to 10 hours of nightly coverage.
  • PokerGO: available worldwide except China. Subscription required.
  • ESPN App: US-focused for live Main Event streaming from July 2. International availability has not been confirmed.

No regional broadcast deals with UK, European, Asian, or Australian networks have been announced for 2026. ESPN International channels have carried WSOP content in previous years, but nothing has been confirmed for this edition.

YouTube remains the most reliable free option for viewers outside the US. Both the WSOP and Winamax channels are accessible without geographic restrictions.

2026 WSOP Broadcast Schedule

The 2026 WSOP runs from May 26 to August 5, with free coverage starting three days into the series and escalating through the Main Event finale on ESPN2.

WSOP 2026 broadcast timeline showing free YouTube and ESPN coverage dates plus the ESPN2 live finale from August 3 to 5
WSOP 2026 broadcast timeline

The full schedule with platforms and costs for each key date:

DateWhatWhereCost
May 26Series opens (Event #1)PokerGOSubscription
May 29Free YouTube coverage beginsWSOP YouTube, Winamax YouTubeFree
May 29 to Jul 15Daily featured tablesPokerGO, WSOP YouTubeFree (YouTube) / Subscription (PokerGO)
Jul 2Main Event Day 1AESPN App, PokerGO, YouTubeFree
Jul 13Main Event final nine setESPN App, PokerGOFree / Subscription
Jul 13 to Aug 2Primetime finalist profilesESPN linear networksCable / streaming TV
Aug 3 to 5Main Event final table (live)ESPN2Cable / streaming TV

All times are US Eastern. The Main Event final table broadcasts run 9 PM to midnight ET each night, August 3 to 5. Winamax’s French-language final table coverage follows ESPN’s live window with a slight delay.

Still planning to play? See our guide to qualifying for the WSOP for every satellite path from $0.50 to direct buy-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WSOP free to watch in 2026?

Yes. The WSOP YouTube channel streams daily from May 29 in English. Winamax’s YouTube channel offers free French-language coverage from the same date. The ESPN App carries free Main Event coverage from July 2. The only paid option is PokerGO, which adds deeper bracelet event coverage and on-demand replays.

Is the WSOP on ESPN?

Yes. ESPN and the WSOP signed a multi-year broadcast deal in March 2026. The ESPN App streams the Main Event daily from July 2, and the final table airs live on ESPN2 from August 3 to 5 at 9 PM Eastern.

How do I watch the WSOP Main Event final table?

The final table plays out over three nights: August 3, 4, and 5 on ESPN2. Each broadcast runs from 9 PM to midnight Eastern Time. The final nine players are set on July 13, with a 20-day break before play resumes on ESPN.

Do I need a PokerGO subscription to watch the WSOP?

Not for the Main Event. Free options include the WSOP YouTube channel (daily from May 29) and the ESPN App (Main Event from July 2). PokerGO adds featured table coverage across all 100 bracelet events and an on-demand library, starting at $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

Can I watch the WSOP from outside the US?

Yes. The WSOP YouTube channel and Winamax YouTube channel are both accessible worldwide with no geographic restrictions. PokerGO is available in every country except China. ESPN App international availability for Main Event coverage has not been confirmed.

What time does the WSOP stream on YouTube?

Daily streams on the WSOP YouTube channel typically begin in the afternoon or early evening Pacific Time and run through the night as events play out. Check the WSOP YouTube channel for exact start times once the series begins on May 29.