WSOP Venues: From the Rio to Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas — What Players Need to Know

The World Series of Poker has changed venues over the years, but the move from the Rio to the Las Vegas Strip is the one that reshaped how players experience the series.

Since 2022, the WSOP has been held at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas, with Bally’s rebranded as Horseshoe in 2023. Several years into the move, the dual-property setup has become the standard for the series. More than a venue change, it brought the WSOP onto the Strip and reshaped how players plan their trips and navigate the event.

For players, the difference is practical. At the Rio, everything revolved around poker. On the Strip, you have better access, more options, and fewer logistical headaches. This guide breaks down that shift so you can plan properly and know what to expect before you get there. For a full overview of events, formats, and how the series works, see our WSOP hub page. 

A Brief History of WSOP Venues

The WSOP has changed venues as the game outgrew each space.

It began in 1970 at Binion’s Horseshoe as a small, invitation-only event. By 2005, the series had moved to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino to handle larger fields and a full summer schedule. In 2022, it moved to the Las Vegas Strip, where it now runs across Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas.

In 2024, Caesars Entertainment sold the WSOP brand to NSUS Group but retained the right to host the live series, keeping it on the Strip long term.

The 2026 WSOP ran from May 26 to July 15 at the same location, continuing the series’ run at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas.

Rio vs. Horseshoe & Paris at a Glance

The Rio Era: What Made It Iconic

For many players, the WSOP is still tied to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. From 2005 to 2021, it was the home of the series, and it shaped what players expected from the experience. 

The setup was simple. The Rio gave the WSOP space to take over the property. The Amazon Room handled thousands of players across hundreds of tables, and everything revolved around poker, creating a focused environment that was hard to replicate. 

The tradeoff was location. The Rio sat off the Strip, which meant daily travel, fewer nearby options, and an aging property by the end of its run. The Rio worked because it was built for poker. It struggled because it was not built for everything else.

Rio Pros and Cons at a Glance

The Current WSOP Venue: Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas

The WSOP now runs across Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. The two properties are connected, allowing players to move between them without leaving the venue. This setup has been in place since 2022, with Bally’s rebranded as Horseshoe in 2023. The structure has stayed consistent, which helps when planning a trip around the series.

The 2026 WSOP ran from May 26 to July 15 at the same location, continuing the series’ run at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. Caesars retained the right to host the live series, keeping it on the Strip long term. You can view the latest WSOP schedule for upcoming events and dates.

The key difference from the Rio is access. The WSOP is now on the Strip, with more hotels within walking distance and more options outside the venue.

Quick Reference: Current WSOP Venue

Navigating Between Paris and Horseshoe

Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas are connected, allowing players to move between tournament areas without leaving the venue. Events are spread across both properties, so it’s worth checking your table assignment and tournament information before heading to the ballroom. While the layout is straightforward once you’re familiar with it, planning ahead can save time during busy tournament days.

What the Strip Location Means for Players

The move to the Strip changes how you move through the series. 

• Walkability: Most players can stay within walking distance. Unlike the Rio, there is no daily commute to an off-Strip property.
• Accommodation range: The Strip offers everything from budget-friendly hotels to luxury resorts, making it easier to choose accommodation that fits your bankroll and preferred walking distance.
• Airport access: Harry Reid International Airport is a short ride from the Strip, with strong taxi and rideshare coverage.
• Everything nearby: Food, entertainment, and other casinos are all within walking distance, giving players far more choice than they had during the Rio era.
• Less planning friction: You do not need to build your day around transportation or limited options.

Planning Around the Strip

The Strip offers far more dining and accommodation options than the Rio ever did, but it also attracts significantly larger crowds. During major tournament breaks, restaurants and food courts can become busy, so planning meals ahead of time or choosing quicker dining options can help you make the most of your break.

What Changed Beyond the Address: Tournament Scale and Format

The 2026 WSOP again featured 100 live bracelet events, confirming that the expanded schedule has become the new standard. More events mean more entry points and formats across a wide range of bankrolls, with buy-ins ranging from a few hundred dollars to $250,000.

New formats like the $1,000 Battle of the Ages and $3,000 T.O.R.S.E. now sit alongside core games like No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha, giving the schedule more depth without losing its top end.

Sample 2026 WSOP Events

• $10,000 Main Event (No-Limit Hold’em)
• $50,000 Poker Players Championship
• $250,000 Super High Roller
• $1,000 Battle of the Ages
• $3,000 T.O.R.S.E.
• $500 Industry Employees Event

WSOP Beyond Las Vegas: Circuit Events and International Stops

The WSOP isn’t limited to the summer series in Las Vegas. The WSOP Circuit runs year-round and gives players a way to compete for official hardware without traveling to Nevada.

Circuit events award gold rings instead of bracelets. Rings carry value and recognition, but bracelets remain the top prize. Players who perform well on the Circuit can qualify for the season-ending championship held at WSOP Paradise.

Key Circuit stops include:

• Commerce Casino
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
• Hilton Panama
• Holland Casino Venlo
• Playground Poker Club

The WSOP also runs full bracelet series outside Las Vegas. WSOP Europe and WSOP Paradise award the same bracelets as the main series and draw strong fields.

What Players Should Know Before Attending the WSOP

Most mistakes at the WSOP come from poor planning, not bad play. The Strip makes logistics easier, but you still need a plan before you arrive.

1. Book accommodation early for future WSOP trips.
   Hotels on the Strip fill quickly during the WSOP, especially around the Main Event. If you’re planning a future trip, booking your accommodation several months in advance gives you more choice and can help reduce costs.
2. Set up the WSOP+ app before you arrive.
   Registration runs through the app. It lets you pre-register, skip lines, and receive seat alerts. Without it, you will waste time at the cage for popular events.
3. Know your buy-ins and your budget.
   Events run from a few hundred dollars to $250,000. Without a plan, it is easy to drift into higher buy-ins that do not fit your bankroll.
4. Use online qualifiers if they fit your plan.
   WSOP Online runs satellites in select U.S. states, and GGPoker covers international players. This is a standard path into larger events, including the Main Event, at a lower cost.
5. Plan for the full cost of your trip.
   Buy-ins are only part of it. Accommodation, food, and daily expenses add up quickly over a multi-week stay.
6. Set limits before you start.
   WSOP platforms include deposit controls, reminders, and self-exclusion tools. Use them if you are playing a long schedule.

What the Venue Change Really Means for Players

The WSOP looks different today, but the tradeoff is clear. The Rio was built around poker. Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas are built around convenience. For most players, that shift makes the series easier to plan, easier to play, and easier to sustain over a long schedule. You lose some of the contained atmosphere, but you gain flexibility and control over your trip.

Several years after leaving the Rio, the WSOP’s home on the Las Vegas Strip is firmly established. For most players, the modern venue offers greater convenience, more flexibility, and the infrastructure needed to support one of the largest live poker series in the world.

Sandra Gaweda

Author

View All Posts By Sandra Gaweda

Sandra is a content writer and digital creative with 10+ years of experience across Web3, crypto, NFTs, iGaming, wellness, and media. She creates blog content, email campaigns, and brand copy for companies ranging from early-stage ventures to established platforms. She currently writes for Legal US Poker Sites, continuing to grow her presence in the digital content space.