Often, life is more about the journey than the destination.
The nine players left in the 2026 WSOP Main Event will be focused on the destination. After all, it’s worth $10 million – the amount the eventual winner will receive should they outlast the eight other players.
For the rest of us, it’s a lot easier to appreciate the epic, exciting journey of this unique poker tournament, wherever it ends up.
It’s a journey that began all the way back on July 2. 922 regular folks and one superhero kicked things off in the $10K buy-in tournament that everyone wants to play.
Over the four starting flights the number swelled to 9,208. By the end of Day 8, they were back down to nine. By the end of this Wednesday there will be just one survivor.
But who will it be?
Meet the cast of poker’s biggest show
Firstly, here’s who’s left, and how many chips they’ll be bringing with them to the final table (click on each of their names for an exclusive interview):
- Lucas Jumalon - 194M (129bbs)
- Rami Hammoud - 79M (53bbs)
- Jamie Shaevel - 56M (37bbs)
- Greg Mueller - 48.5M (32bbs)
- Michael Gagliano - 46.5M (31bbs)
- Mario Boos - 44M (29bbs)
- Lauri Saaskilahti - 37.5M (25bbs)
- Han Feng - 25M (17bbs)
- Evagoras Evagorou - 22.5M (15bbs)
Will the big stack bring it home?
Jumalon might have a big lead but there are still three days of poker to be played. Anything can happen.
We asked the pros who they think will win, including Bryn Kenney, David Baker and Phil Hellmuth. Check out their predictions below:
Seat draw dynamics
The seat draw will make a big impact with such a big chip leader. Here's how they'll line up at the final table.
- Lauri Saaskilahti: 37.5M (25bbs)
- Michael Gagliano: 46.5M (31bbs)
- Mario Boos: 44M (29bbs)
- Greg Mueller: 48.5M (32bbs)
- Jamie Shaevel: 56M (37bbs)
- Han Feng: 25M (17bbs)
- Rami Hammoud: 79M (53bbs)
- Evagoras Evagorou: 22.5M (15bbs)
- Lucas Jumalon: 194M (129bbs)
And here’s a fascinating thread with three of the biggest dynamics to watch out for:
If you want to find out more about the ICM tactics, check out the video below.
Each stack at the final table is worth 5th place or better. 5th place pays $2,250,000 and the full payouts are as follows. The pay jumps are huge and it means no one wants to bust 6th-9th. For that reason, everyone except Jumalon should be playing much tighter than chip EV.
- $10,000,000
- $6,000,000
- $3,750,000
- $2,750,000
- $2,250,000
- $1,750,000
- $1,500,000
- $1,250,000
- $1,000,000
How to watch the 2026 WSOP Main Event final table
You've got lots of options – just make sure you don't miss it.
In-person at the Horseshoe
If you’re in Las Vegas you can head down to Horseshoe.
There's space for 300 sitting and 300 standing at Horseshoe. Friends and family of the players get first dibs then it's first come, first served. If it’s full when you get there, remember that it will empty with each elimination. Look for the player with the biggest rail and anti-sweat them hard.
And a note from Kevmath: "All spectators (including friends and family) will be required to swipe their Caesars Rewards card and receive a stamp on their hand before being allowed to get into line."
On ESPN in the US
With ESPN back for 2026, it should be easy to watch the livestream, but the details have left a lot of players confused.
When one of the final nine players, Michael 'Gags' Gagliano, is having trouble telling friends where to find ESPN's telecast, you know the poker world could use a little help.
Here’s the final table schedule (and it could go later depending on what happens):
- August 3: 9pm ET for three hours on ESPN2
- August 4: 8pm ET for four hours on ESPN
- August 5: 10:30 pm ET for three hours on ESPN
On TNT Sports in the UK
- August 4: 2am BST for three hours on TNT Sports 2
- August 5: 1am BST for four hours on TNT Sports 2
- August 6: 3:30am BST for three hours on TNT Sports
UK viewers can also tune in from midnight on Monday for two highlights shows.
On Eurosport in Europe (also available in Asia)
- August 4: 3am CEST for three hours on Eurosport HD
- August 5: 2am CEST for four hours on Eurosport HD
- August 6: 4:30am CEST for three hours on Eurosport HD
Join the 2026 Main Event final table watch party with Faraz Jaka.Watch it with Faraz Jaka
If you can’t watch a livestream where you are, or want a second-screen experience, the PokerOrg Advisory Board member is having a party and you’re invited to watch along with him.
Live updates on PokerOrg
We'll be on the floor from start to finish, bringing you live updates via Instant News on the PokerOrg homepage. We’ll also bring you more in-depth coverage on the biggest hands, and the action from each day.
Good luck to all the players and here's hoping it's a banger.
Thanks to artist Mitchell Aiken for allowing PokerOrg to share his wonderful take on the final nine players.
