| WSOP 2026: Key Info | |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas Casinos, Las Vegas, USA. |
| When: | May 26 to July 15, 2026. |
| Number of events: | 100 |
| Main Event dates: | July 2 to TBA |
| Full schedule: | View the full tournament schedule |
| FAQs: | View frequently asked questions |
What is the World Series of Poker?
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the undisputed highlight of the poker calendar. Each summer in Las Vegas a packed schedule of tournaments takes place, at a wide range of buy-ins and featuring a variety of different games, formats and structures.
View the full WSOP 2026 schedule here.
With rare exceptions (such as events for casino employees, women or seniors), each tournament is open to everyone (over the age of 21) who cares to play — you just need to turn up, buy in and play your game.
And for those who win, the rewards can be life-changing: Cash prizes of up to $10 million, plus the most coveted accolades in all of poker — WSOP gold bracelets — await the winners.
As the voice of poker players across the world, PokerOrg reports live from the tournament floor during the entire series, every year.
From May 26 to the very end, we’ll once again bring you the biggest news, the best stories and most exciting developments from the world’s most prestigious live poker tournament series.
Key events
There are 100 events at this summer’s WSOP, but these stand out as some of the most interesting.
| Event | Start date |
|---|---|
| $550 Mini Mystery Millions NLH (top bounty $1M) | May 26 |
| $10K GGMillion$ High Roller NLH | May 31 |
| $1,700 US Circuit Championship NLH | June 2 |
| $1,500 MONSTER STACK NLH | June 3 |
| $500 COLOSSUS NLH | June 10 |
| $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER ($1M GTD for 1st) | June 17 |
| $1,500 5-card PLO | June 18 |
| $50K Poker Players Championship | June 21 |
| $500 SALUTE TO WARRIORS NLH | June 21 |
| $1K Ladies Championship NLH | June 25 |
| $10K Main Event NLH | July 2 |
| $300 Gladiators of Poker NLH | July 8 |
| $1,500 'Pick Your PLO' | July 9 |
The list above includes several events new to the WSOP schedule, specifically:
- Mini Mystery Millions
- GGMillion$ High Roller
- US Circuit Championship
- 5-card PLO
- Pick Your PLO
Together with these five new events, a WSOP Circuit stop will also begin during the series for the first time, running from July 14-25.
Looking for the full list? Browse the complete 2026 World Series of Poker tournament schedule.
Where is the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP)?
The 2026 WSOP will take place at the Paris and Horseshoe Casinos in Las Vegas from May 26 to July 15, with the Main Event due to finish at some point afterwards — dates are still to-be-confirmed.
These two casinos are joined by an internal walkway, allowing visitors to easily move between them, and each is big enough to seat thousands of players at a time.
The venues have hosted the WSOP since 2022. Before then, the Rio Hotel & Casino played host to the series from 2005 to 2021, and prior to that the WSOP was held in the place where it was founded: Binion’s Horseshoe in Downtown Las Vegas.
That’s where the very first WSOP took place in 1970, but the location proved to be too small for the thousands of people who want to play, and larger premises had to be found.
When is the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP)?
The 2026 World Series of Poker takes place from May 26 to July 15, though the Main Event will finish after this date.
The first tournament on the schedule — which features 100 events in all — is the $550 Mini Mystery Millions.
The $10K Main Event will begin on July 2.
How to play the 2026 WSOP
In order to take part in a live tournament at the 2026 World Series of Poker you’ll need ID, a Caesars Rewards card, and obviously the payment for the buy-in.
Registration can be done in-person at the venues via registration desks and automated teller machines, or via the WSOP+ app on your phone. Check the FAQs below for more information.
Where to stay at the 2026 WSOP
The Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas casinos both offer a range of excellent rooms just minutes from the tournament area, making each an extremely convenient option if you’re playing a WSOP event.
The mid-Strip location means there is no shortage of other well-placed hotels right on the doorstep, including Flamingo, Linq, Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan, Cromwell, Planet Hollywood and many more.
For longer stays or larger groups you may want to look into a non-hotel solution, such as an AirBnB or short-term apartment rental.
How big are the prizes at the WSOP?
Prize money in any poker tournament depends on the size of the buy-in and the size of the field.
With so many different poker tournaments taking place across the full 2026 World Series of Poker schedule, the prizes on offer will vary according to these factors.
But remember: while smaller buy-ins might mean not as much goes into the prize pool with each buy-in, cheaper tournaments often attract a huge amount of entrants, which means there can still be massive cash prizes to be won.
As a rough guide, the smallest first-place prize money awarded in an open event at last year’s live series was $106,840, awarded to Dan Heimiller in the $1,500 7-card stud event. The largest was the $10 million won by the Main Event champion, Michael Mizrachi.
Some of the best returns on investment in the 2025 series were found in the $300 Gladiators of Poker event, where Ian Pelz won $420,680 (more than 1,400 times his buy-in), the $500 Colossus, where Courtenay Williams won $542,540 (1,085 times his buy-in) and the $777 Lucky 7’s No-Limit Hold’em event, where winner Nelson Mari Sanchez won $777,777 (1,001 times his buy-in).
What is the WSOP+ app?
This free mobile app is especially useful as not only does it allow users to register for WSOP events directly from their device, it also provides key information on start times, tournament clocks, payouts, late registration cutoffs, table draws and much more.
Note that, even with the app, you will still be required to verify your identity with ID and a Caesars Rewards card on-site at the WSOP before you are able to register for events using the app.
The WSOP+ app accepts various payment methods for tournament buy-ins, including credit cards and Paypal.
How much is the rake at the WSOP?
The rake paid, or tournament fees, varies depending on the buy-in for the event. The higher the buy-in, the lower the percentage taken.
| Buy-in level | Fees withheld |
|---|---|
| $300 | 18% |
| $400 | 17.5% |
| $500 | 17% |
| $550 | 17% |
| $600 | 16% |
| $800 | 12.5% |
| $1,000 | 12% |
| $1,500 | 11.5% |
| $1,700 | 11.5% |
| $2,000 | 11% |
| $2,500 | 11% |
| $3,000 | 11% |
| $5,000 | 8% |
| $10,000 | 7% |
| $25,000 | 6% |
| $50,000 | 5% |
| $100,000 | 4% |
| $250,000 | 2% |
The history of the WSOP
The very first World Series of Poker took place in 1970 at Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. That first incarnation was more of a cash game than a tournament, and the winner — Johnny Moss — was the result of a vote between the players.
By the next year the tournament format was established, with four events held in the 7-card stud, razz, 5-card stud and ace-to-five lowball variants, plus a no-limit hold’em Main Event. Moss won again, although the field was barely big enough to fill one table.
By 1973 the Main Event had enough players for more than one table, and 1976 saw the first WSOP bracelets awarded to winners of each event (which totalled 8). The number of participants — and events — continued to grow and by the time Chris Moneymaker won the Main Event in 2003 there were over 800 runners in the field, and 36 different bracelets events in which to compete.
Moneymaker, who had qualified for a fraction of the $10,000 buy-in online, proved to be a catalyst for an unprecedented growth in the game, and the 2004 Main Event drew a field of more than 2,500 players eager to repeat his success.
2005 saw the bulk of the action move to the larger Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, though the conclusion of the Main Event was held at Binion’s. From 2006 to 2021 the Rio hosted the WSOP, before the series moved to its current home of the Horseshoe and Paris casinos.
The $10K Main Event has always crowned poker’s world champion, and traditionally is one of the final events to conclude. From 2008 to 2016, however, it actually came to an end several months after it began. This is thanks to the ‘November Nine’ idea, which saw play suspended once the final table had been set, with the final 9 players returning to finish the tournament in November to coincide with the televisation of the rest of the event. In 2017 the structure reverted to its previous format.
The 2020 WSOP is notable for taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the live series cancelled and an online version taking place towards the end of the year. Two events were staged, one for international players (at GGPoker) and one for Americans (at WSOP.com). Final tables for each were played live in December 2020, crowning two winners who then faced off for another $1M and the title of world champion, which was won by Argentina’s Damian Salas.
Since 2022 the World Series of Poker has been played at the Paris and Horseshoe Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The two properties are joined by an internal walkway, and together are able to seat many thousands of players simultaneously.
Check out the articles below for more on the history of the WSOP.
Previous WSOP Main Event winners
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1970 | Johnny Moss |
| 1971 | Johnny Moss |
| 1972 | Thomas 'Amarillo Slim' Preston |
| 1973 | Walter 'Puggy' Pearson |
| 1974 | Johnny Moss |
| 1975 | Brian 'Sailor' Roberts |
| 1976 | Doyle Brunson |
| 1977 | Doyle Brunson |
| 1978 | Bobby Baldwin |
| 1979 | Hal Fowler |
| 1980 | Stu Ungar |
| 1981 | Stu Ungar |
| 1982 | Jack Straus |
| 1983 | Tom McEvoy |
| 1984 | Jack Keller |
| 1985 | Bill Smith |
| 1986 | Berry Johnston |
| 1987 | Johnny Chan |
| 1988 | Johnny Chan |
| 1989 | Phil Hellmuth |
| 1990 | Mansour Matloubi |
| 1991 | Brad Daugherty |
| 1992 | Hamid Dastmalchi |
| 1993 | Jim Bechtel |
| 1994 | Russ Hamilton |
| 1995 | Dan Harrington |
| 1996 | Huck Seed |
| 1997 | Stu Ungar |
| 1998 | Scotty Nguyen |
| 1999 | Noel Furlong |
| 2000 | Chris Ferguson |
| 2001 | Carlos Mortensen |
| 2002 | Robert Varkonyi |
| 2003 | Chris Moneymaker |
| 2004 | Greg Raymer |
| 2005 | Joe Hachem |
| 2006 | Jamie Gold |
| 2007 | Jerry Yang |
| 2008 | Peter Eastgate |
| 2009 | Joe Cada |
| 2010 | Jonathan Duhamel |
| 2011 | Pius Heinz |
| 2012 | Greg Merson |
| 2013 | Ryan Riess |
| 2014 | Martin Jacobson |
| 2015 | Joe McKeehen |
| 2016 | Qui Nguyen |
| 2017 | Scott Blumstein |
| 2018 | John Cynn |
| 2019 | Hossein Ensan |
| 2020 | Damian Salas |
| 2021 | Koray Aldemir |
| 2022 | Espen Jorstad |
| 2023 | Daniel Weinman |
| 2024 | Jonathan Tamayo |
| 2025 | Michael Mizrachi |
Previous WSOP Players of the Year winners
Since 2004 the WSOP has named a Player of the Year, determined through a points system that takes buy-in amounts and field size into consideration.
Note that no winner was named in 2020 due to the heavily curtailed WSOP schedule that year, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Year | WSOP Player of the Year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Daniel Negreanu |
| 2005 | Allen Cunningham |
| 2006 |
Jeff Madsen |
| 2007 | Tom Schneider |
| 2008 | Erick Lindgren |
| 2009 | Jeff Lisandro |
| 2010 | Frank Kassela |
| 2011 | Ben Lamb |
| 2012 | Greg Merson |
| 2013 | Daniel Negreanu |
| 2014 | George Danzer |
| 2015 | Mike Gorodinsky |
| 2016 | Jason Mercier |
| 2017 | Chris Ferguson |
| 2018 | Shaun Deeb |
| 2019 | Robert Campbell |
| 2020 | n/a |
| 2021 | Josh Arieh |
| 2022 | Daniel Zack |
| 2023 | Ian Matakis |
| 2024 | Scott Seiver |
| 2025 | Shaun Deeb |
WSOP FAQs
Q. When is the 2026 World Series of Poker?
A. The series runs from May 26 to July 15, 2026, with the final table of the Main Event taking place following the conclusion of the main series. View the full WSOP 2026 schedule here.
Q. Where is the 2026 WSOP taking place?
A. Events will be played at the Paris and Horseshoe Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The two properties are located next to one another and connected by an interior walkway, making it very easy to move between them.
Q. How do I get to the 2026 World Series of Poker?
A. Harry Reid International Airport serves the city of Las Vegas and is located just 11 miles from the Strip, with direct flights available from many countries across the world. The drive to Las Vegas from southern California is via I-15 and takes around 4-5 hours, dependent on traffic conditions.
Q. Where should I stay in Las Vegas?
A. Las Vegas has over 150,000 hotel rooms, plus local rentals such as AirBnB. Staying at, or close to, the Paris and Horseshoe Casinos can be very convenient, and their mid-Strip location means there are lots of options. Check out this guide for some good hotel suggestions.
Q. Can I qualify online for WSOP events?
A. Depending on your location, you may be able to qualify for WSOP events online at GGPoker or WSOP Online.
Q. How many events are there at the 2026 WSOP?
A. In 2026 there are 100 events taking place at the WSOP. Check the full schedule for details.
Q. How much does it cost to play the WSOP?
A. Different events have different buy-ins, ranging from $300 in events such as the Gladiators of Poker to $250K in the Super High Roller. The Main Event, which crowns the world champion of poker, has a buy-in of $10,000.
Q. How do I buy in for a WSOP tournament?
A. You can register for an event at the registration desk using a range of different payment options including cash, casino chips and wire transfers (with prior approval), or via the WSOP+ app. Note that in either case you'll need ID and a Caesars Rewards card, which can be obtained on-site from the Rewards Desk, and to verify your identity on-site (this only needs to be done once)
Q. How much money do WSOP winners receive?
A. Prize money awarded in WSOP events depends on the size of the buy-in and the number of players. The biggest prize awarded at the 2025 WSOP went to the winner of the Main Event, Michael Mizrachi, who won $10 million.
Q. What is a WSOP bracelet?
A. A WSOP gold bracelet is awarded to the winner of every event at the WSOP — in addition to first-place prize money — and is one of the most cherished prizes in poker. The monetary value of the bracelets can vary, with more prestigious events awarding more valuable bracelets, but each one is symbolic of writing your name in poker’s history books.
Q. Is the WSOP open to the public? Can my friends come and watch?
A. Yes, the WSOP is open to the public and you do not need to be a player to go and watch the action, though spectators are required to stay behind the rail and avoid disturbing any players. As the WSOP takes place inside Las Vegas casinos, anyone in attendance must be of legal gambling age.
Q. Which poker games are played at the WSOP?
A. The Main Event of the WSOP is played in the no-limit hold’em format, as are lots of other tournaments on the schedule, but there are many different game variants played. These include Omaha, stud, badugi, dealers choice and others. Check out the 2026 WSOP schedule to see a full list.
Q. Will I be on TV?
A. Certain tournaments will be streamed live, on a delay, and may also be filmed for television. It’s also not uncommon to see documentary crews filming on the tournament floor. If you make a final table there is a good chance it will be filmed, but even if not there is a chance you may appear on camera. A daily free stream at the WSOP YouTube channel is available from May 26 through to the start of the Main Event.
Q. What are the food options at the WSOP?
A. Las Vegas has no shortage of great food choices, although during timed breaks your options will be limited by how far you are prepared to go. A ‘poker kitchen’ operates at the Horseshoe near the tournament area, serving hot and cold snacks and drinks, and more food outlets are available throughout the Horseshoe and Paris Casinos including burgers, sandwiches, pizza and diner fare. You’ll also find more options just outside the Horseshoe Casino, where an open-air food market offers noodles, gyros, chicken and more.
Q. What time do WSOP events start, and when does play end?
A. Start times are staggered throughout the day, with the earliest around 10am and the latest around 6pm.
Q. What is the full 2026 WSOP schedule?
A. There are 100 events on the full 2026 WSOP schedule, running from May 26 to July 15. Check the full schedule.
Q. When is the 2026 WSOP Main Event?
A. The 2026 WSOP Main Event begins on July 2, with 4 starting flights running until July 5. The final table will take place following the conclusion of the series.
Q. How do I register for the WSOP?
A. You can register online or in person at the Paris Casino. Online options include the Bravo mobile app and the WSOP+ app, with in-person registration available at the registration desk, located near the Paris ballroom. Note that all players will need to initially verify their identity in person before being able to register online, though this only needs to be done once.
Q. Do I need a Caesars Rewards card to play in the WSOP?
A. All players at the WSOP are required to have a Caesars Rewards card. To get yours, head to the Caesars Rewards desk located in the Paris Casino near the entrance to the WSOP tournament area.
Q. Are there age or ID requirements to play in the WSOP?
A. Per Nevada law, all players must be aged 21 or over to take part in any WSOP events.
Q. Can international players play in the WSOP?
A. Yes, anyone of legal age can play in the WSOP, there are no restrictions on international players.
Q. Can I bring cash to buy in for WSOP events?
A. Yes, you can buy in for WSOP events using cash, in person at the registration desk in the Paris or Horseshoe Casinos. There may be a discount applied for cash buy-ins, but there may also be limits to how much cash is accepted, and larger buy-ins may need to be paid at a specific desk. Also please note that registration desks are not staffed 24-hours.
Q. How long does a WSOP tournament last?
A. Most WSOP events last for 2 or 3 days, but some will last longer and some will be shorter. There are single-day events and turbo tournaments which can be played in a single day, while the Main Event takes place across more than 8 days, from July 2 (the final starting flight takes place on July 5).
Q. Is there a dress code at the WSOP?
A. The only restrictions on clothing at the WSOP is that it must not feature obscene or offensive messaging, and must comply with the venues’ general rules (i.e. no swimwear). If you are playing at a featured TV table you may be asked to remove or cover certain logos on clothing, for example relating to rival or controversial brands. The WSOP is an informal, fun place to play, so dress comfortably and be yourself (while respecting those around you).
Q. Are there satellites at the WSOP?
A. Yes, you can find live satellites on-site at the WSOP, and registration is done in the same way as you would for a WSOP bracelet event. Online satellites may also be available at GGPoker and WSOP Online, if they are available to you where you live.
Q. Do I need the WSOP+ app to play in the WSOP?
A. The WSOP+ app is a free download and makes life easier in various ways, from being able to register for events directly in the app, to viewing field numbers, prize jumps, table draws, tournament clocks and break times at your convenience. Using the app is not essential, but is very helpful.
