The 2025 WSOP ended with a bang, with Michael Mizrachi winning the Main Event in a stunning finale to the summer — but that just means it’s time to start planning your next WSOP experience.
This was the first summer that the WSOP was run under its new owners, but you wouldn’t have known it. PokerStars managed to sneak in and agree a deal with streaming partner PokerGO, which meant GGPoker had to watch as its online rival got table branding through all the livestreamed events.
We doubt that happens again. And you’re likely to see more of GGPoker's influence in the coming year. For starters, it’s just ramped up its WSOP online satellites, bringing Super Circuit, Paradise and the 2026 Vegas WSOP together under one roof.
Qualify for the WSOP from $0.50
WSOP Express uses a simple ‘steps’ mechanic to cater to all bankrolls. And it ends in one of three different passes, depending on what you want to play.
- Ring Pass — $5,000
A Super Circuit package for the new season starting January 2026, including buy-in and expenses. - Bracelet Pass — $10,000
Your entry straight into the 2026 WSOP Main Event or other $10K bracelet events in Las Vegas next summer. - Super Pass — $30,000
Entry into the $25,000 Super Main Event at the 2025 WSOP Paradise festival in The Bahamas this December. This tournament comes with a $60 million guarantee, which is the biggest in poker history.
You can start at Step 1 for just $0.50 or buy in directly to any of the different levels. You don’t play regular tournament poker until Step 3, which is a turbo. Step 4, which comes with a buy-in of $150, plays as a regular tournament.
- Step 1 — $0.50 All-In or Fold 4-max Sit & Go
You start with three stacks of 80 and can use these separately or combine them, but once combined, you can’t split them back up. The winner receives a Step 2 ticket. - Step 2 — $2 Spin & Gold 6-Max
The spin of a wheel determines the prize here, with the majority of games awarding a single $10 Step 3 ticket. The jackpot prize is a $50K prize pool, with the winner getting a $30,000 Super Pass, second getting a $10,000 Bracelet Pass, third getting a $5,000 Ring Pass and 4th-6th getting a bundle of Step 4 and Step 3 tickets. Keep in mind, though — this jackpot hits just once every 333,333 games. - Step 3 — $10 turbo tournament
These play as Target Stack satellites, which see you start with 3,000 chips and progress with a Step 4 prize as soon as you hit 50,000 chips. - Step 4 — $150 tournaments with big guarantees
These can lead straight to Ring and Bracelet Passes or step up to special $1,000 Bracelet Step and $2,500 Super Step tournaments that qualify you for the $10,000 Bracelet Pass and $30,000 Super Pass Paradise packages, respectively.
All the WSOP Express qualifiers at the moment lead through to the Super Pass route, and qualifying players for Paradise is likely to remain a priority. Last year’s Paradise Super Main Event had a $50 million guarantee and it fell short by $550,000. Hitting another $10 million on top is ambitious.
GGPoker is also running promotions with free daily Step 0 tickets and promos to win Steps tickets through cash game challenges.
WSOP Express is available to players in eligible jurisdictions. Head to GGPoker for full details, step structures, and satellite schedules.
