The World Series of Poker has officially unveiled its full 2026 schedule, headlined by 100 bracelet events spanning ten weeks of action at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. The series kicks off on May 28 and runs through July 18, promising the most ambitious calendar in WSOP history.
Main Event and Prize Pool Highlights
The crown jewel remains the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, set to begin July 3 with registration open through the end of Day 2. Based on current registration trends, organizers are projecting a field of over 10,000 players and a guaranteed prize pool exceeding $100 million — which would set a new all-time record for a live poker tournament.
The Big One for One Drop, the $1,000,000 buy-in charity event, is also scheduled to return on July 14, with half of each entry donated to the One Drop Foundation's global water access initiatives.
New Events and Innovations
This year introduces several fresh formats designed to attract a broader player base:
- $500 No-Limit Hold'em Colossus — The popular low buy-in mega-field event returns with a $5 million guarantee.
- $1,000 Mystery Millions — A bounty tournament where mystery knockout prizes can reach up to $1 million.
- $2,500 Six-Handed Mixed Game Championship — A brand-new event cycling through eight different poker variants every two levels.
- $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8-or-Better Championship — Elevated to championship status for the first time.
International Bracelet Circuit
For players who cannot make it to Las Vegas, the WSOP International Circuit will host qualifying satellites at over 200 venues worldwide. Players who win a Circuit ring event between January and April 2026 will receive a paid seat to one of the corresponding WSOP events.
Online Bracelet Events
Twelve bracelet events will be held online via WSOP.com (available to players in New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Delaware). Online events begin May 30 and are spread throughout the series. Buy-ins range from $400 to $5,000.
GTO Strategy Implications
For players looking to prepare, the expansion of mixed-game events is particularly noteworthy. Games like Razz, Stud Hi-Lo, and 2-7 Triple Draw demand entirely different strategic frameworks than Hold'em. The introduction of the Six-Handed Mixed Game Championship means that deep understanding of GTO principles across multiple variants will be essential for anyone aiming to make a final table.
At DonkPoker, we'll be providing dedicated strategy content covering optimal preflop ranges and postflop tendencies for the most common WSOP variants throughout the spring.
Schedule at a Glance
| Date | Event | Buy-in | |------|-------|--------| | May 28 | Opening Event: $500 NLHE | $500 | | May 30 | Colossus | $500 | | June 5 | Millionaire Maker | $1,500 | | June 15 | Mystery Millions | $1,000 | | June 20 | Six-Handed Mixed Game Championship | $2,500 | | June 28 | Seniors Championship | $1,000 | | July 3 | Main Event begins | $10,000 | | July 14 | Big One for One Drop | $1,000,000 | | July 18 | Main Event Final Table | — |
The full schedule is available on the official WSOP website. Satellites and direct registration are open now.