Few dates spark more anticipation in the poker world than the unveiling of the annual World Series of Poker schedule. This week’s announcement of the 2026 lineup delivered exactly that—buzz, debate, and a wave of optimism about what’s to come this summer in Las Vegas.
Running from May 26 through July 15, the 2026 WSOP will feature 100 live bracelet events. The schedule spans the full spectrum of the game, from the debut $550 Mini Mystery Millions to a $3,000 T.O.R.S.E. event for mixed-game enthusiasts, all the way up to the iconic $10,000 Main Event. Notably, the Main Event will reintroduce a delayed final table format reminiscent of the famed November Nine era.
Across social media, podcasts, and group chats, players wasted no time dissecting every detail.
Free Daily Livestreams Spark Major Buzz
The headline change? Free daily livestream coverage.
In a departure from previous years’ largely paywalled broadcasts, the 2026 WSOP will offer complimentary streams each day. For many, that’s a seismic shift.
“It’s a game changer,” said Mike Holtz on a special schedule breakdown episode of the PokerNews Podcast. The two-time WSOP.com Player of the Year emphasized how accessible broadcasts could draw in new fans and motivate recreational players to book a trip to Vegas.
Co-host Ben Ludlow echoed the sentiment, noting that consistent, free coverage will make it easier for fans to follow storylines, personalities, and bracelet runs from start to finish.
The consensus? More exposure means more engagement—and potentially bigger fields.
Stronger Mid-Stakes Lineup Wins Praise
Another focal point of discussion has been the bolstered mid-stakes slate.
Events like the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em, $2,500 Mixed Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better; Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, $3,000 Nine Game Mix, and $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship NLHE all hit a sweet spot for many seasoned pros.
Four-time bracelet winner David Baker (known to many as “ODB”) praised the $2K–$5K price points, particularly the prevalence of single re-entry formats. He called it a fair compromise between traditional freezeouts and unlimited re-entry structures.
Baker also floated an idea for future schedules: a $5,000 Women’s High Roller to spotlight the growing impact of women in the game.
Ludlow agreed that the mid-tier focus feels intentional and overdue, pointing out that while the WSOP has long excelled at both ultra-low and high-roller offerings, this year’s lineup seems especially balanced in the middle.
Mixed Games and PLO Get the Spotlight
Mixed-game specialists also found plenty to celebrate.
The return of T.O.R.S.E. headlines a schedule packed with variety. Other standouts include the $1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot PLO, $1,500 Pick Your PLO, and the $3,000 Nine Game Mix.
For Ludlow and many others, the sustained emphasis on Pot-Limit Omaha is particularly exciting. With more PLO events woven into the schedule, players who prefer four cards to two will have more opportunities than ever.
Jeff Platt Engages the Community
New WSOP hire and longtime poker broadcaster Jeff Platt made an immediate impact.
Promising to help build the WSOP brand under GGPoker’s leadership, Platt took to social media to solicit feedback on the schedule. He responded to dozens of players, including high-stakes star Adrian Mateos, signaling a more interactive and transparent approach.
Platt hinted at a “new era” for broadcasts this summer, teasing expanded tournament coverage, deeper storytelling, and a dramatically improved viewing experience both live and online.
As always, poker insider Kevin Mathers was also active, fielding schedule-related questions throughout the day.
Record Fields on the Horizon?
With expanded offerings and free streams, speculation quickly turned to field sizes.
The 2024 Main Event set an all-time record with 10,112 entries, followed by 9,735 runners in 2025. According to reporting from PokerFuse’s Anuj Arora, prediction market Kalshi saw the probability of the 2026 Main Event topping 10,000 entrants jump to 53% after the schedule was released.
British pro Patrick Leonard predicted “record-size fields all over,” describing the series as more expansive—and more expensive—than ever, with additional starting flights and re-entry options.
He cautioned that deeper stages could be tougher than ever, but added that players who prefer to fire multiple bullets will find ample opportunity.
Surprise Appearances?
Beyond the numbers, there’s always room for intrigue.
Sports personality Eric Nathan hinted that Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, could make an appearance at this year’s WSOP after the pair played a heads-up match in Las Vegas last year.
If that happens, it would only add to what’s already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about series in recent memory.
