The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has returned for 2026 and it's bigger and better than ever before. With the action taking place at both the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris casinos, Las Vegas is the place to be from the end of May through mid-July. There are a record-breaking 100 WSOP bracelet events in the main schedule, with the infamous $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship and $10,000 WSOP Main Event included within that number.
With WSOP Online bracelets up for grabs too across WSOP.com in the merged network of New Jersey and Nevada, as well as others being available to play for in Pennsylvania and Michigan, a summer of bracelet hunting awaits.
Let's take a look at what the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) offered us last year in the video below:
Let’s take a look at what else the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) will be offering poker players. If you’re a poker enthusiast, aspiring pro, or just a lover of all things World Series of Poker (WSOP), you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will provide you with:
- Tournament Updates
- World Series of Poker (WSOP) Casino Information
- The Full Series Schedule
- Main Event Schedule
- Registration Info for the World Series of Poker (WSOP)
2026 WSOP: What You Need to Know
Just as in previous years, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) will be jointly hosted by two venues, following the success of Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris casinos in recent times. The Las Vegas Strip will once again welcome record-breaking crowds as players from around the globe flock to the gambling capital of the world.
With the Thunderdome set at the Horseshoe, the TV cameras will descend on the two venues, with most of the final table coverage you see airing on CBS Sports—which has retained the broadcast rights—coming from the Horseshoe. Just like in 2025, Paris will host the majority of the Day 1 flights, with the iconic Paris Ballroom once again serving as an inspiration for players of all levels inside one of the best poker rooms in the world.
With over 150,000 square feet available between Paris and the Horseshoe Las Vegas, over 600 poker tables will host the action, with organizers expecting a record attendance in 2026 to surpass the incredible player fields seen 12 months ago.
Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel
Originally built in 1973, the hotel changed its name from MGM Grand Hotel to Bally’s in 1986. Now part of Caesars Entertainment, the venue has undergone a transformation, with the iconic ‘Horseshoe’ branding introduced throughout the grounds in 2024. This revamped setting is likely to be the home of the Las Vegas WSOP for many years to come.
Paris Las Vegas
Paris Las Vegas opened on September 1, 1999, as part of the expansion of Bally’s Las Vegas. Originally, developers planned a full-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower, but the project was scaled back after discovering it would interfere with nearby air traffic at Harry Reid Airport. Instead, they settled on a half-scale model, along with a 3:2 scale replica of L’Arc de Triomphe. Even with the scaled-down models, Paris Las Vegas remains a must-see attraction in Sin City.
World Series of Poker (2026) Schedule
This year’s WSOP schedule will feature 100 live bracelet events along with an online series that will run simultaneously. However, if you’re planning on playing the online series, you can only access it on WSOP.com if you are physically located in Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Michigan. This marks a growth from just one state in 2022 as online poker continues its state-by-state expansion in the United States.
Win Your Way to The Main Event
The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) promises to be a very special year, with a unique prize on offer. Last year’s WSOP Main Event, which had a $10,000 buy-in, saw American Michael Mizrachi take home a top prize of $10 million to become World Champion.
The WSOP Main Event, the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, and a Super High Roller event with a $250,000 buy-in stand out among the 100 bracelet events this summer. The World Series of Poker hasn't released the full schedule yet, but the WSOP summer lineup is set to be legendary!
World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2026 Main Event Dates
This year’s $10,000 buy-in World Championship of Poker kicks off on July 2 with Day 1a, the first of four Day 1 starting flights. Last year, the tournament broke its own record of entries in 2025, surpassing the previous player field from 2024, when Johnathan Tamayo won. The 2026 WSOP Main Event could break new ground again, with the tournament running (most likely) from July 2–16.
WSOP Main Event Structure Highlights:
- Four starting flights (Day 1a–1d)
- Each Day 1 begins at 12 PM and consists of five 2-hour levels
- Starting stack: 60,000 chips
- Blinds start at 100/200 with a 200-chip big blind ante
- Late registration open until the end of Level 2 on Day 2abc or Day 2d
- Final table played over two days
For more details on poker’s most famous tournament, visit our 2026 WSOP Main Event page.
2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit & Exciting Events
Early highlights on the 2026 WSOP schedule include the opening event, the Mystery Millions, featuring a $1,000 buy-in, a $1 million guaranteed top prize, and a $1 million bounty prize. The prestigious $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship returns on May 30.
Other must-play events include the Mystery Millions offering a guaranteed $1 million first-place prize and a $1 million top bounty. Players eliminating others will draw random bounty prizes, with the top bounty of $1 million revealed on Day 2.
World Series of Poker Satellite Tournaments
Satellite tournaments are organized into various tiers, each offering distinct opportunities for players. In Tier 1 satellites, winning a single tournament grants entry into the desired target tournament, such as the prestigious Main Event. Tier 2, provides a chance to win a seat in a Tier 1 satellite. This tiered structure can extend further, with multiple tiers leading up to participation in the main tournament.
The presence of additional tiers offers players a cost-effective path to the target tournament, although it requires winning multiple tournaments along the way. It’s worth noting that Tier 4 and Tier 5 satellites often have entry fees below $1, enabling players to enter multiple times without incurring significant expenses, increasing the chances of a fortunate streak.
At present, WSOP.com exclusively provides satellite tournaments for this year’s Main Event. However, as the summer approaches, it is highly likely that numerous US-facing platforms will also offer opportunities for players to satellite their way into the Main Event.
See the full list of tournaments you can register for and earn your way to the Main Event at our WSOP Satellites page.
WSOP 2026 Registration
If you’re interested in playing an event at this year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP), you can register for events either in-person or online. US players will just need to bring their ID, whereas non-US players will need to bring their ID and a formal proof of address (such as a bank statement or utility bill).
The main registration area is located in the Champagne Ballroom, near the front end of the Paris Convention Center. Opening from Tuesday, May 27 at 9:00am, it will remain open 24 hours a day, non-stop through July 16 as players can register for events at any time of the day or night.
Guests are required to present valid picture identification, along with their Caesars Rewards card and payment to enter events.
Loyalty Card: All players are required to have a Caesars Rewards loyalty card to enter World Series of Poker (WSOP) events. To obtain a card for new players, or to request a reprint of your card if you have previously signed up for one, players can visit the Player Services area in the Champagne Ballroom or visit one of the card reprint kiosks. A valid picture identification such as a state-issued driver license or a country-issued passport is required for a Caesars Rewards card.
It is important to note, players who lost or forgot to bring their physical Caesars Rewards card with them to the World Series of Poker (WSOP), should request a re-print of their card and not a new card. Caesars Rewards re-print kiosks will also be available in the Champagne Ballroom, allowing those a quick way to get a physical card when that’s the only need they have.
Online Registration for 2025 WSOP
This year, online registration is once again handled by WSOP vendor Bravo Poker Live. Beating the queues by registering online, you’ll need to play attention to the deadlines that apply for bracelet events. These are easy to follow and make sense for each tournament, with three easy ways you can pay for your event entry online:
- Wire Transfer – This method can be used for all buy-in levels, but you must register at least 14 days before the start of the tournament to be eligible to use it.
- Credit Card – This option is only available for buy-ins of $10,000 and under. The accepted card types are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club. Your card will need verification before it can be used, but you can use it until the end of the series once you’ve done so.
- ACH – This method can only be used for buy-ins of under $10,000.
Pre-registration is already available, so if you’re looking to head down to the WSOP this year, why not save yourself the headache and register online.
The 2026 WSOPE (World Series of Poker Europe)
The World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) returns in 2026 with a significantly refreshed format, including new dates and a new host city. For the first time in several years, the festival will take place in Prague, running from March 31 through April 12, marking a notable shift from its traditional fall schedule. The 2026 WSOPE will feature 15 WSOP bracelet events, reinforcing its status as one of the premier poker series outside of Las Vegas.
Headlining the series is the €5,300 WSOP Europe Main Event, which comes with a massive €10 million guaranteed prize pool, despite the reduced buy-in compared to previous editions. The 2026 schedule also introduces new highlights, including the €1,500 European Circuit Championship, backed by a €1.5 million guarantee, alongside familiar favorites such as the Colossus, Monster Stack, High Rollers, and multiple PLO events. With its earlier calendar slot, lower Main Event buy-in, and expanded global significance as part of the new WSOP Player of the Year competition, the 2026 WSOPE is shaping up to be one of the most accessible and competitive editions to date.
FAQs
The 2026 WSOP will run from end of May to mid-July. There will also be a WSOP Europe and WSOP Paradise to take place later on in the year.
WSOP Online will run alongside the live events this summer. Those online bracelet schedules will be released in the coming weeks.
The WSOP is partnering again with PokerGO for coverage of many gold bracelet events via livestreams broadcasts online. The partnership with CBS Sports will also continue for a fourth year, with PokerGO producing episodes for CBS. Streaming schedules will be released soon, and CBS Sports air dates will be released toward the middle or end of the WSOP.
No, not in 2026. Players are able to wear masks and protect themselves from viruses as they choose, within WSOP guidelines.
There are plenty of great places to stay during the World Series, so it depends on your budget, time frame, and location preference. Many hotels will offer special offers during the May, June, and July tournament dates, especially those properties owned by Caesars Entertainment.
An event buy-in can range anywhere from $300 to $250,000, depending on the specific event you choose to play.
The WSOP Main Event has a $10,000 buy-in.
The Main Event is a freezeout tournament, which means that once you’re eliminated, you cannot reenter or rebuy.
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