What a year 2025 was. Records were smashed, plenty of dramas unfolded on Poker Twitter, and legends were cemented – most notably Michael Mizrachi, who took down both the $50K Poker Players Championship and the Main Event, and Shina Okamoto, who did the unthinkable by going back-to-back in the Ladies Championship, all at this year’s WSOP.
But there’s no time to reminisce. 2026 is here, and it promises to be another milestone year for the game we all love.
Here are some of the things to look forward to in the poker world next year.
1. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
We asked 100 poker players what their favorite live event ever was – and the top answer? The Aussie Millions.
It’s not just the luxury of the Crown Casino but also its location on the banks of the beautiful Yarra River and in Melbourne, a city that begs to be explored.
Back in the day, it used to be held in January, at the same time as the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam, and in glorious sunshine. Now, after a six-year hiatus, the Aussie Millions returns in 2026, running from April 24 to May 10. Okay, that’s autumn Down Under, so the weather will be cooler (but still pleasant). And with the AU$10,600 Main Event and a full schedule of action over 18 days of poker, who’s complaining?
It used to be attended by the who’s who of the poker world, and it became immortal when Gus Hansen showed the world just how he won the Main Event in 2007 in his book Every Hand Revealed. We’ve got high hopes for the comeback.
2. Viva Las Vegas!
Gambling in general, and poker in particular, has long been underrepresented in film and on TV. That could change in 2026 with the arrival of a yet-untitled eight-part drama set to drop on Netflix.
It’s got pedigree. Rounders co-writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien are on board, with writing and showrunning duties. They were also responsible for Billions.
More excitingly, Martin Scorsese is executive producer, and Maria Konnikova has been involved, which all bodes well for a top-tier show with a healthy dash of poker.
The series centers around Robert ‘Bobby Red’ Redman, president of a major casino in modern-day Vegas.
There’s no official title or release date yet, but all signs point to a 2026 debut. And we can’t wait.
3. The world will watch the 2026 WSOP
Last year’s WSOP was the biggest ever, with 100 bracelets up for grabs – although only 99 were awarded after a major controversy.
So, how many will there be in 2026? The full schedule has yet to drop, but we’re fully expecting the Main Event to remain a $10K freezeout.
One major change is expected, though. PokerGO has held the streaming rights to the WSOP since 2017 and has done a fantastic job.
However, there’s long been criticism that the series, and especially the Main Event, has been hidden behind a paywall. That looks set to change in 2026. PokerGO no longer has a deal in place, and all signs point to a new production team and a free-to-watch approach. That should mean more viewers, more excitement, and, hopefully, more players lining up to donate their chips at the table.
4. PokerStars Easter double
SCOOP is one of the most eagerly awaited events for online players. And they won’t be waiting as long this year, as PokerStars has pulled the dates forward. The 2026 SCOOP runs March 1-25, with a full schedule expected in the new year.
No reason has been given for the earlier dates, but the 2025 series bled into the WSOP, and it meant the Main Event didn’t run at the end of the schedule.
We’re not complaining, though. Especially as the end of SCOOP runs almost straight into the PokerStars-sponsored Irish Poker Open, which is celebrating its 46th year as one of the best live events on the circuit – and certainly the most fun.
The Irish Poker Open Main Event in 2025 was the biggest ever, drawing 4,562 entries and generating a €4,447,950 prize pool. Local player Simon Wilson took home €600,000 for the win.
But don’t just take our word for it. The Irish Poker Open was also voted Best Stand-Alone Festival at the 2025 GPI Awards. (That’s one thing you won’t be able to look forward to next year: the GPI Awards were announced to be ending in 2025.)
5. How big does the Super Main Event go?
The WSOP Super Main Event missed its $50 million guarantee in 2024. But in 2025, it bounced back, smashing the $60 million guarantee with a wild $72,275,000 prize pool.
The unlimited re-entries caused plenty of debate, but all signs point to them returning in 2026. And from what we’re hearing, there’s strong chatter that the WSOP could push the guarantee to $80 million next year, with $100 million firmly in their sights for the future.
Whether that happens, and how they plan to get there, remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the WSOP is focused on growing the numbers year after year. And we think there’s a real shot they pull it off.
