PokerNews has announced the launch of the PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard, a brand-new, season-long competition created in collaboration with the RunGood Poker Series. The initiative adds another layer of excitement to the 2026 RGPS Passport Season, rewarding consistency and commitment with prizes that carry real value.
As RGPS enters 2026 as a three-time recipient of the GPI award for Best Mid-Major Poker Tour, the PowerStack Leaderboard mirrors the tour’s core values: loyalty, competitiveness, and a strong focus on the everyday player.
A Season-Long Battle That Matters
The PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard will span the entire 2026 RGPS Passport Season, with a designated PokerNews PowerStack event featured at every RGPS stop. Players earn points based on the RGPS points formula, turning each deep run into progress toward a larger season goal.
At the conclusion of the Passport Season, the top ten finishers on the leaderboard will each be rewarded with a $1,100 seat to the RGPS Passport Thunder Valley Main Event, plus two nights of accommodation. The season-ending festival runs from July 16 to August 2 at Casino Lincoln, giving the most consistent performers a well-earned shot on a big stage.
Tulsa Sets the Tone With $50K Guaranteed Event
The PowerStack Leaderboard officially launches at RGPS Tulsa, highlighted by a PokerNews PowerStack Ring Event that immediately signals the scale of the new promotion. The tournament carries a $400 buy-in and a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.
Players receive a 25,000 starting stack, with two starting flights scheduled for January 21. The top 12.5% from each flight advance to Day 2 on January 22, where they will compete for the title, the ring, and crucial early points in the PowerStack race.
Transparent, Player-Friendly Coverage
Throughout the season, PokerNews will provide chip counts and results at the end of each day’s play, or immediately after completion for single-day events. Leaderboard standings will be updated within 72 hours of points being posted in the Tournament Hub Manager system, ensuring players can easily follow their progress as the season unfolds.
Shirley Ang, Senior Global Live Events Manager at PokerNews, described the PowerStack Leaderboard as a natural evolution of the RGPS experience.
“RGPS has one of the most engaged and loyal player communities in poker,” Ang said. “The PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard creates an additional storyline for players to follow all season long, especially for those who want something meaningful to compete for beyond the Player of the Year race.”
RGPS CEO Tana Karn also highlighted how the new leaderboard aligns with the tour’s long-term vision.
“RGPS has always focused on delivering meaningful experiences for everyday players,” Karn said. “This initiative rewards consistency, strengthens our partnership with PokerNews, and enhances the player experience at the top end of the tour, culminating in our $1,000,000 guaranteed season finale at Thunder Valley Casino.”
With tangible rewards and season-wide implications, the PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard is set to become a key storyline throughout the 2026 RGPS Passport Season.
