World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2026: Schedule, Results and Records
The 57th World Series of Poker runs May 26 to July 15, 2026 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The schedule features 100 bracelet events with buy-ins from $300 to $250,000.
The $10,000 Main Event begins July 2. Its final table plays out August 3 to 5 on ESPN under a new multi-year broadcast deal.
Below you will find schedule highlights, bracelet records, player profiles and links to daily coverage throughout the series. Each section connects to a dedicated reference page for deeper detail.
About the World Series of Poker
How It Started (1970 to 2002)
The World Series of Poker began in 1970 when casino owner Benny Binion gathered the best players in Las Vegas at his Horseshoe Casino. That first year, Johnny Moss was voted champion by his peers. There was no tournament and no set buy-in.
The $10,000 Main Event format arrived in 1972. Doyle Brunson won it back-to-back in 1976 and 1977, famously holding 10-2 at the final hand both times.
Stu Ungar captured three Main Event titles (1980, 1981, 1997) and is still regarded as one of the most gifted card players who ever lived. His death in 1998 at 45 remains one of poker’s great tragedies.
In 1989, a 24-year-old Phil Hellmuth beat Johnny Chan heads-up to become the youngest Main Event champion at the time. He was just getting started on a run that would reach 17 bracelets and counting.
The Poker Boom (2003 to 2010)
One moment changed everything. In 2003, accountant Chris Moneymaker qualified for the Main Event through a $39 PokerStars satellite and won $2.5 million. It remains the single most important event in poker history.
Fields exploded overnight. The Main Event drew 839 entries in 2003, then 2,576 in 2004, 5,619 in 2005 and 8,773 in 2006. Jamie Gold took home $12 million in 2006: the largest Main Event first prize ever awarded.
ESPN turned poker into primetime television. Hole-card cameras and colourful commentary made the WSOP appointment viewing for millions. In 2008, organisers introduced the November Nine format, setting the final table in July and playing it out in November for maximum broadcast production value.
- 2005: WSOP moves from Binion's to the Rio after 35 years at the Horseshoe
- 2007: First WSOP Europe series launches, taking the brand international
- 2020: COVID forces the first fully online WSOP bracelet series
The Modern Era (2011 to Present)
The series moved from the Rio to Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas in 2022 after NSUS Group (GGPoker’s parent company) took over operations of the WSOP. Fields have stabilised at 9,000 to 10,000 for the Main Event, with a record 10,112 entries in 2024.
The 2025 WSOP produced a historic moment. Michael Mizrachi won both the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (his record fourth title) and the Main Event for $10 million in the same summer. The accomplishment earned him immediate induction into the Poker Hall of Fame.
The 2026 series brings ESPN back with a delayed final table format. The Main Event final nine are set on July 13, then return August 3 to 5 for a three-night televised finale. It echoes the old November Nine but compresses the gap to 20 days.
Today the WSOP runs for seven weeks, awards 100 bracelets and distributes over $300 million in prizes to players from dozens of countries each summer.
WSOP 2026: Key Dates, New Events and Changes
The 2026 schedule features 100 bracelet events across 51 days. Buy-ins range from $300 (Gladiators of Poker, the cheapest multi-flight bracelet event ever) to $250,000 (Super High Roller NLH). Under the new ESPN broadcast deal, the Main Event final table is delayed 20 days for a three-night televised finale.
| Date | Event | Buy-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 26 | Mini Mystery Millions NLH (Event #1) | $550 | Series opener, 6 flights, $1M bounty prize guarantee |
| May 29 | Heads-Up Championship (Event #7) | $25,000 | 64-player max per flight |
| May 30 | Omaha Hi-Lo Championship (Event #9) | $10,000 | First championship event |
| Jun 8 | NLH High Roller (Event #29) | $50,000 | First $50K of the summer |
| Jun 10 | NLH High Roller (Event #36) | $100,000 | Biggest non-Main NLH buy-in |
| Jun 13 | Super High Roller NLH (Event #41) | $250,000 | Largest buy-in of the series |
| Jun 17 | Millionaire Maker NLH (Event #50) | $1,500 | 4 flights, 20,000+ entries expected |
| Jun 21 | Poker Players Championship (Event #60) | $50,000 | Mixed games, the pros’ bracelet |
| Jun 23 | Mystery Millions NLH (Event #63) | $1,000 | 6 flights, $1M bounty prize |
| Jul 2 | Main Event NLH (Event #82) | $10,000 | 4 Day 1 flights, final table Aug 3-5 on ESPN |
| Jul 8 | Gladiators of Poker NLH (Event #88) | $300 | Cheapest multi-flight event |
| Jul 15 | Super Turbo NLH (Event #100) | $1,000 | Series closer |
For the full 100-event schedule with results updated daily, visit the official WSOP schedule.
What’s New in 2026
The 2026 schedule adds seven new events and drops five from 2025.
- $550 Mini Mystery Millions (Event #1): new series opener with $1M bounty guarantee
- $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller (Event #11): new prestige event with GGPoker branding
- $1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship (Event #16): new event following WSOP Paradise success
- $300 Gladiators of Poker (Event #88): cheapest multi-flight bracelet event ever
- $1,500 Pick Your PLO (Event #91): dealer's choice PLO variants
- $3,000 T.O.R.S.E. (Event #92): 2-7 Triple Draw replaces Hold'em in HORSE rotation
- $1,500 Five Card PLO (Event #53): new PLO variant added to the schedule
- Main Event final table delayed 20 days: July 13 to August 3-5 under the new ESPN broadcast deal
- $1M Player of the Year prize pool: POY winner also receives a $100K WSOP Paradise package
- Removed from 2025: $1,000 Battle of the Ages, $777 Lucky 7's, $1,500 Shootout, $3,000 Limit Hold'em, $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty
For a full breakdown of the four confirmed rule changes for 2026, including dealer ratings via the app and chips in play from registration, see our dedicated article. For the new sponsor patch policy specifically, see our WSOP 2026 patch rules guide with the full approved and denied brand tracker.
The ESPN Return
ESPN returns to the WSOP in 2026 with over 100 hours of coverage under the new multi-year broadcast deal. Omaha Productions (Peyton Manning’s company) is producing. ESPN2 broadcasts the Main Event final table live from August 3 to 5.
The WSOP YouTube channel carries free daily streams from May 29. For full viewing details including international options, see our Where to Watch the WSOP guide when it goes live.
Storylines Heading into the 57th WSOP
Phil Hellmuth returns to Las Vegas chasing bracelet number 18. His best formats remain the $1,500 and $3,000 NLH events where field sizes and structure play to his post-flop reads. No player in history has extended a bracelet record into their sixties.
Daniel Negreanu has announced a 40-event schedule, the most aggressive of his career, as he chases bracelet number eight. Michael Mizrachi returns as the defending Main Event champion with $10 million and a Poker Hall of Fame induction behind him.
Several elite pros arrive in Las Vegas with massive résumés and zero bracelets. Ben Tollerene, Niklas Astedt, Viktor Blom and Maria Ho are among the best poker players still chasing their first WSOP bracelet, with combined earnings north of $250 million.
The Player of the Year race carries a $1 million prize pool for the first time. Defending POY winner Shaun Deeb faces a field of grinders who now have seven figures of additional motivation. The POY winner also receives a $100K WSOP Paradise package.
The Main Event field will test whether poker’s growth streak continues after a record 10,112 entries in 2024. The 2025 field came in at 9,735. Whether 2026 pushes back above 10,000 will be one of the summer’s defining data points.
For the full breakdown of every storyline heading into the summer, see our WSOP 2026 preview when it goes live.
Latest WSOP Coverage
The latest articles from our WSOP coverage, updated throughout the series.
Best Poker Players Without a WSOP Bracelet in 2026
Ten elite poker pros with combined earnings over $250 million have never won a WSOP bracelet. Here’s who could break through at the 2026 World Series of Poker.
WSOP 2026 Patch Rules: Approved Brands, Submission Guide, and What Grinders Lose
Rule 52 now requires written patch approval 24 hours in advance. CoinPoker denied, GGPoker and ACR approved. The full compliance guide for sponsored players.
WSOP 2026 Preview: Storylines That Will Define the Summer
Hellmuth chases #18, Mizrachi defends, ESPN returns with Omaha Productions, and the POY race hits $1M. The storylines heading into the biggest poker summer of the decade.
Who’s Missing from the 2026 WSOP: Every Pro Who Can’t or Won’t Be in Las Vegas
The 2026 WSOP has the biggest schedule ever, but several pros are missing. From Carrel’s US ban to the Millionaire Maker scandal to Seidel’s tax exile.
Browse all poker news and coverage in our news section.
WSOP Records and All-Time Statistics
Key Records
The records below reflect confirmed results through the end of the 2025 WSOP.
| Record | Holder | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Most bracelets | Phil Hellmuth | 17 |
| Biggest single WSOP cash | Antonio Esfandiari | $18,350,000 (2012) |
| Largest Main Event field | 10,112 players | 2024 |
| Youngest Main Event champion | Joe Cada | 21 years old (2009) |
| Oldest Main Event player | Eugene Calden | 100 years old |
| Most all-time cashes | Arkadiy Tsinis | 554 |
| Most bracelets in one year | 8 players tied | 3 each |
| Defending Main Event champion | Michael Mizrachi | $10,000,000 (2025) |
| Largest Main Event first prize | Jamie Gold | $12,000,000 (2006) |
All-Time Bracelet Leaderboard (Top 10)
Every player with seven or more career bracelets heading into the 2026 WSOP. Phil Ivey sits second with 11, six behind Hellmuth’s record of 17.
| Rank | Player | Bracelets | Most Recent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Hellmuth | 17 | 2023 |
| 2 | Phil Ivey | 11 | 2024 |
| 3 | Doyle Brunson | 10 | 2005 |
| 4 | Erik Seidel | 10 | 2023 |
| 5 | Johnny Chan | 10 | 2005 |
| 6 | Johnny Moss | 9 | 1988 |
| 7 | Shaun Deeb | 8 | 2025 |
| 8 | Benny Glaser | 8 | 2025 |
| 9 | Michael Mizrachi | 8 | 2025 |
| 10+ | 8 players tied | 7 each | various |
For the full leaderboard, format records and cashes leaders, see our WSOP Bracelet Records page when it goes live.
WSOP Guides and Resources
In-depth reference pages covering every angle of the World Series of Poker.
WSOP Main Event Winners
Every champion from Johnny Moss in 1970 to Michael Mizrachi in 2025. Prize money, field sizes and era-by-era history.
WSOP Bracelet Records and Statistics
All-time leaderboards, single-year records and historical data across 50-plus years of bracelet events.
WSOP Player of the Year
Historical winners, current race standings and how the $1M points format works.
How to Qualify for the WSOP
Satellite paths through GGPoker, WSOP Online and live qualifiers. Routes start from $0.50.
Where to Watch the WSOP
ESPN coverage details, free YouTube streams and international viewing options for 2026.
WSOP Venue and Travel Guide
Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas logistics: registration, hotels, food and first-timer tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WSOP?
The World Series of Poker is the largest live poker festival in the world, held every summer at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The series awards gold bracelets across 100 events, with buy-ins from $300 to $250,000. The $10,000 Main Event is the most prestigious tournament in poker.
Who won the 2025 WSOP Main Event?
Michael Mizrachi won the 2025 Main Event for $10,000,000, his first Main Event title. He also won the Poker Players Championship the same year, a feat that earned him immediate induction into the Poker Hall of Fame.
How many events are at the 2026 WSOP?
The 2026 schedule has 100 bracelet events across 51 days, plus a separate WSOP Circuit Summer series immediately after. Seven events are new for 2026, including the $550 Mini Mystery Millions opener and the $300 Gladiators of Poker.
Can international players enter the WSOP?
Yes. The WSOP is open to players from around the world. International players can qualify through GGPoker’s WSOP Express satellites starting from $0.50 or buy in directly at the venue.
Where can I watch the 2026 WSOP?
ESPN broadcasts the Main Event final table live on August 3 to 5. The WSOP YouTube channel streams daily coverage for free from May 29. PokerGO streams featured championship tables throughout the series.
When is the 2026 Main Event final table?
The final table is set on July 13 but does not play until August 3 to 5. The 20-day delay allows ESPN to produce a primetime broadcast event across three nights on ESPN2.
Do I need to be 21 to play the WSOP?
Yes, you must be 21 or older to play live events in Las Vegas. Online bracelet events through WSOP Online are available to players in Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania.