The 2026 World Series of Poker
The 57th annual World Series of Poker ran May 26 through July 15, 2026 at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas, featuring 100 bracelet events and drawing 251,899 total entries. Of the 100 events on the schedule, 99 bracelets have been awarded. The Main Event final table airs live on ESPN August 3-5 after a three-week break. For a complete breakdown of every winner, see the full results page.
Whether you followed the action all summer or are just tuning in for the Main Event finale, this page covers the key events, results, and pathways players used to get there. Online satellites on BetOnline, ACR Poker, and other Chico and WPN network sites sent hundreds of qualifiers to Las Vegas this year.
Key Events to Watch in 2026
The WSOP Player of the Year race runs across all open bracelet events, tracked by a points formula that rewards deep runs and final table finishes. Several marquee events anchor the schedule:
- The Colossus — A $400 buy-in event with multiple starting flights, consistently drawing 10,000+ entries and generating one of the largest prize pools of the summer.
- Millionaire Maker — The $1,500 buy-in NLH event designed to award a seven-figure first prize.
- Monster Stack — A $1,500 event with a deep starting stack (50,000 chips) that favors patient, post-flop-heavy play.
- The Main Event — The $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em World Championship. Four starting flights feed into a multi-day tournament that crowns poker's annual world champion.
- High Roller Events — Including the $50,000 Poker Players Championship and the $250,000 Super High Roller.
For a broader look at tournament formats and strategy, see our tournament guide.
Major Bracelet Events Schedule & Results
The table below highlights selected marquee events from the 100-event schedule. All dates are 2026, and events took place at Paris/Horseshoe Las Vegas.
| Event # | Event Name | Buy-in | Start Date | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mini Mystery Millions NLH | $550 | May 26 | Philip Chun | $400,622 |
| 12 | No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw | $1,500 | Jun 4 | Stephen Hubbard | $155,819 |
| 18 | MONSTER STACK NLH | $1,500 | Jun 9 | Richard Alsup | $1,302,125 |
| 34 | COLOSSUS NLH | $500 | Jun 18 | Justin Smith | $550,000 |
| 41 | Super High Roller NLH | $250,000 | Jun 13 | Adrian Mateos | $4,334,411 |
| 50 | MILLIONAIRE MAKER NLH | $1,500 | Jun 25 | Joseph Liberta | $1,250,000 |
| 60 | Poker Players Championship | $50,000 | Jun 24 | Benny Glaser | $1,343,764 |
| 76 | High Roller PLO | $100,000 | Jul 8 | Daniel Negreanu | $2,257,718 |
| 82 | Main Event NLH | $10,000 | Jul 2 | Final Table Aug 3-5 | TBD |
| 100 | Super Turbo NLH | $1,000 | Jul 15 | She Wong | $216,286 |
This table shows selected marquee events. For the complete list of all 99 bracelet winners, see the WSOP 2026 results page.
The Main Event final table was set on July 13 after Day 7. After a three-week break — new for 2026 — the final table plays out live on ESPN from August 3-5. Coverage schedule: Aug 3 on ESPN2 (9 PM – Midnight ET), Aug 4 on ESPN (9 PM – Midnight ET), Aug 5 on ESPN (10:30 PM – 1:30 AM ET). For a full poker TV schedule, see Poker on TV.
Online Satellite Qualification
You do not need $10,000 in your pocket to play the Main Event. Online satellites let you win your seat for a fraction of the buy-in, sometimes as little as $1. The three main satellite pathways are:
BetOnline & Chico Network Satellites
BetOnline runs satellite qualifiers for the WSOP Main Event and other bracelet events through the Chico Poker Network. Buy-ins start as low as $1 and run through multi-step systems where each tier awards a seat to the next level. TigerGaming and Sportsbetting.ag share the same Chico Network player pool, giving you multiple entry points to the same satellite schedule. BetOnline's fast crypto withdrawals (18-36 hours tested) make it easy to move funds if you win a package.
ACR Poker & WPN Satellites
ACR Poker hosts WSOP satellite qualifiers through the Winning Poker Network (WPN), with buy-ins starting under $5. ACR's massive tournament schedule includes dedicated WSOP qualifier series that award Main Event seats and travel packages. The WPN's other skins — Black Chip Poker, Ya Poker, and True Poker — share the same satellite player pool, so qualifiers run around the clock with strong fields.
BC Poker Satellites
BC Poker offers a crypto-native path to WSOP qualification through its standalone platform. Satellite buy-ins start low and the crypto-first banking makes deposits and withdrawals seamless for players who prefer Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. BC Poker's growing tournament schedule includes dedicated WSOP qualifier events during the months leading up to the series.
Tips for First-Time WSOP Attendees
Playing your first WSOP event is a milestone. A few practical considerations will help you focus on the poker rather than logistics.
Bankroll Planning
The WSOP is expensive beyond the buy-in. Budget for travel, hotel (rates spike during the series), food, and potentially multiple events. A reasonable plan for a first trip is one target event plus a backup option, with enough reserve to cover a week of expenses in Las Vegas. Our bankroll management guide covers how to size your live tournament bankroll.
Registration and Logistics
Register for events at the WSOP registration desk inside Paris Las Vegas. Arrive early on your starting day — registration lines can stretch for hours on popular events like the Main Event and Colossus. WSOP.com account holders in eligible states can pre-register online. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number (required for US tax reporting on wins over $5,000).
Travel and Accommodation
Book accommodation well in advance. Paris and Bally's (connected properties) offer convenience, but off-Strip hotels are significantly cheaper. The series runs long enough that many players rent apartments or share houses. Las Vegas in June and July means temperatures above 100F, so plan transportation accordingly.
At the Table
WSOP events use a slower blind structure than most online tournaments, so patience is rewarded. Starting stacks are generous in most events. If this is your first major live tournament, review our poker strategy guide for fundamentals and focus on playing your best game rather than trying to make hero plays.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 WSOP Main Event start?
The 2026 WSOP Main Event began with Flight A on July 2, with additional starting flights on July 3, 4, and 5. Surviving players from all flights combined on Day 3, and the final table was set after Day 7 on July 13. After a three-week break, the final table airs live on ESPN from August 3-5, 2026. The full series ran from May 26 through July 15 at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas. For complete results, see the WSOP 2026 results page.
Where can I watch the 2026 WSOP Main Event final table?
The Main Event final table airs live on ESPN from August 3-5, 2026. Day 1 broadcasts on ESPN2 (9 PM – Midnight ET), Day 2 on ESPN (9 PM – Midnight ET), and the finale on ESPN (10:30 PM – 1:30 AM ET). Daily WSOP livestreams of non-Main bracelet events were available for free on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and X throughout the series. For the full streaming guide, see Poker on TV.
How much does it cost to enter the WSOP Main Event?
The Main Event buy-in is $10,000. However, you can qualify for far less through online satellites on BetOnline, ACR Poker, and other Chico and WPN network sites, where satellite entries start as low as $1. Other bracelet events have buy-ins ranging from $400 (the Colossus) to $250,000 (the Super High Roller).
Can I play WSOP events online instead of traveling to Las Vegas?
Yes. WSOP Online bracelet events run for international players, and WSOP.com runs online bracelet events for players in regulated US states. These carry the same prestige and award the same gold bracelets as their live counterparts. For satellite qualifiers, BetOnline and ACR Poker both run dedicated WSOP qualifier events.
What is the best strategy for WSOP satellite tournaments?
Satellite strategy differs from regular tournament strategy. Once you have enough chips to secure a seat, shift to a survival approach — avoid marginal confrontations and protect your stack. In satellites, all winning positions pay the same (a tournament entry), so there is no incentive to accumulate chips beyond the threshold needed to qualify. Study poker strategy fundamentals and focus on tight, disciplined play.
Do I need to be a US citizen to play at the WSOP?
No. The WSOP is open to players from around the world, provided they are at least 21 years old. International players need a valid passport and may need a US visa depending on their country of origin. Non-US citizens who win prizes are subject to a 30% federal tax withholding, though this may be reduced by tax treaties between the US and their home country.
How do I prepare for my first WSOP tournament?
Start by choosing an event that fits your bankroll and experience level. The Colossus ($400) and other low buy-in events are good starting points. Practice in online tournaments at similar blind structures, review the poker hand rankings, and study fundamentals like position play and pot odds. Arrive in Las Vegas a day early to handle registration, get settled, and adjust to the environment before your event begins.