It’s already been a headline-grabbing stretch for the World Series of Poker.
The 2026 schedule release introduced sweeping changes that many players are calling transformative, alongside a revamped format for the Main Event. Shortly after, Daniel Negreanu revealed plans for an ambitious summer, saying he intends to fire up to 40 bracelet events in Las Vegas.
Now, before the first cards are even in the air in Nevada, another superstar has made his intentions clear—this time across the Atlantic.
“I’m Planning on Playing Almost Every Event”
Phil Hellmuth has officially committed to playing at World Series of Poker Europe in Prague.
The 17-time bracelet winner and ambassador for BetRivers Poker shared the news on X, signaling he’ll be putting in serious volume.
“I’m here to talk about the World Series of Poker, specifically the World Series of Poker Europe in Prague. I’ll be there,” Hellmuth said. “I’m going to fly in a day or two early. I’m planning on playing almost every event.”
For Hellmuth, it marks his first bracelet chase on European soil in several years. His last WSOPE appearance came in 2019, when he came tantalizingly close to adding to his historic tally—finishing runner-up in the €25,500 Mixed Games Championship, third in the €2,500 8-Game Mix, plus two additional cashes.
A Unique Chapter in WSOP History
Hellmuth’s relationship with WSOP Europe goes beyond near misses.
In 2012, he conquered the €10,540 WSOPE Main Event, defeating a 420-player field to claim €1,022,376 and his 13th gold bracelet at the time. That triumph came more than 20 years after he captured the 1989 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas.
To this day, Hellmuth remains the only player to win both the Las Vegas Main Event and the WSOP Europe Main Event—a rare double that stands as one of poker’s most distinctive achievements.
A Run at WSOP Player of the Year?
Hellmuth’s most recent bracelet victory came in 2023, when he took down the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty for $803,818 plus bounties, defeating Justin Zaki heads-up at a final table that also featured Phil Ivey.
Despite his unmatched collection of hardware, one accolade has eluded him: WSOP Player of the Year.
Legacy has always mattered to Hellmuth. Records matter. Milestones matter. By committing to nearly the full WSOPE slate, he positions himself to build early momentum in the 2026 POY race before the Las Vegas summer grind even begins.
The POY format itself has been overhauled for 2026. The leaderboard now carries a $1 million prize pool distributed among the top 100 finishers, with the overall winner also receiving a $100,000 WSOP Paradise package in addition to the title. That added incentive could draw a deeper field to Prague—both returning veterans and first-time hopefuls.
What Awaits in Prague?
The 2026 WSOP Europe runs from March 31 through April 12 at King’s Casino, hosted inside the Hilton Prague. The series features 15 bracelet events.
The €5,300 Main Event headlines the schedule, boasting a €10 million guarantee despite a reduced buy-in from its traditional €10,350 price point.
New for 2026 is the €1,500 European Circuit Championship, backed by a €1.5 million guarantee—another major draw for players chasing both prize money and POY points.
With a packed slate that includes everything from the €565 COLOSSUS to a €20,800 Super High Roller, Prague promises high stakes, deep fields, and plenty of storylines.
And with Phil Hellmuth planning to “play almost every event,” the question naturally follows: could bracelet No. 18 be waiting in Europe?
