2026’s biggest poker tournaments promise record prizes and global showdowns
The world’s biggest poker tournaments continue to draw massive fields and offer life-changing prizes. From high-stakes events with elite players to large-scale online series, the calendar for 2026 includes some of the most prestigious competitions in the game. These tournaments range from the iconic WSOP Main Event to exclusive high roller gatherings and global online championships.
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) remains the largest live poker festival, running from May to July in Las Vegas. With over 80 events, it attracts an average of 1,000+ players per tournament. The WSOP Main Event, costing $10,000 to enter, regularly draws over 7,000 participants, with the winner often claiming more than $10 million.
For online players, the WSOP Online platform hosts official bracelet events and WSOP Circuit tournaments year-round. These events typically see fields of over 2,000 players. Another major online series, the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), takes place every November. It features events across all buy-ins and variants, with average fields exceeding 1,000 players and top prizes reaching $1 million or more. The Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), held from May to June, offers three buy-in levels for each event. Low-stakes tournaments often attract over 5,000 players, while high-stakes events award top prizes above $800,000. Among live tournaments, the World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship stands out as a December highlight. With a $10,300 buy-in, it draws around 2,500 players and guarantees a $15 million prize pool. The 2026 edition will feature an even larger guarantee of $18.3 million. For high rollers, the Triton Super High Roller Series runs throughout the year, with entry fees starting at $10,000+. These events usually attract between 30 and 200 players. The Super High Roller Bowl, another elite tournament, has a $300,000 buy-in and sees fewer than 100 entrants. The European Poker Tour (EPT), running since 2004, remains a key stop for international players. Its main events average over 1,000 participants, with top prizes frequently exceeding $1 million. Meanwhile, the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC), part of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, takes place in January and February. With a $25,000 buy-in, it draws over 1,000 players each year.
The 2026 poker calendar offers a mix of high-stakes exclusivity and large-scale accessibility. Major tournaments like the WSOP Main Event, WPT World Championship, and online series such as SCOOP and WCOOP provide opportunities for players at all levels. With guaranteed prize pools reaching tens of millions, these events remain central to the global poker scene.
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