There has been plenty of speculation about a potential delay to the Main Event final table since the full 2026 WSOP schedule was released. But Daniel Negreanu revealed exclusively to PokerOrg that it will not be pushed back to November.
17-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth thinks that's a shame.
“I wish it were a November Nine again,” Hellmuth says. “I think it was great for poker. There were some people who probably couldn’t have won the tournament that day, but because of the four-month delay, with coaching and putting in the work, they could now win. That is true.
“But it could also be argued that the coaching is going to hurt some people. Just because you’re being coached doesn’t mean you’re being coached by the right people or taught the right things.”
Hellmuth’s Main Event boycott shut down
Last year, Hellmuth threatened to boycott the Main Event in a bid to get the WSOP to insert a day or two off into the grueling marathon. He argued the structure had tilted too far toward stamina, compressing the edge of experienced players.
“Having a delay of a few days or more is a great thing," Hellmuth says. "I think the more rest, the better. I threatened not to play in the Main Event last year. I was overruled by my sponsors, my agent, and most of the poker world. Everyone thought I should play it, but I knew there wasn't much chance I could win. I feel it’s an endurance test and not a test of skill, and that’s not the best thing for the game.”
There's no hint of a repeat boycott his year – Hellmuth has already confirmed that he'll be playing the 2026 Main Event, as well as the upcoming WSOPE festival in Prague that starts March 31.
The 2026 WSOP Main Event final table dates are still to be confirmed, and player opinion remains divided. Jennifer Tilly is one high-profile voice firmly against any delay, arguing that the Main Event should reward whoever performs best in the moment – not after a period of coaching.
