More than ten years after its last broadcast, one of poker’s most iconic televised events is making a comeback: the National Heads-Up Poker Championship returns this fall through a partnership between PokerGO and PokerStars. The legendary heads-up tournament will premiere on Peacock in the fall of 2025 and will later be available on both PokerGO and PokerStars platforms.
This marks the first time that PokerGO will organize the event, having acquired the rights to the championship along with the full broadcast archive from NBC Sports. The company now oversees not just the production but also the revival of the brand itself.
What is the National Heads-Up Poker Championship?
The National Heads-Up Poker Championship is an invitational, single-elimination No-Limit Hold’em heads-up tournament that originally ran annually from 2005 to 2013. The 64-player field was structured in a bracket-style format inspired by American sports playoffs, with players facing off in one-on-one matches.
What made the event truly special was its made-for-TV appeal: legendary poker pros and mainstream celebrities competed in memorable duels, broadcast live to millions. The final match was typically a best-of-three format, adding to the event’s sport-like drama and structure.
Throughout the years, champions have included the likes of Phil Hellmuth, Chris Ferguson, Erik Seidel, and Mike Matusow. At its peak in the mid-2000s, the championship played a significant role in popularizing poker on television.
The 2025 Return: New Era, New Platforms
The upcoming edition follows the familiar invitational format and features a $25,000 buy-in. But the goal is not simply nostalgia—it’s a renewed focus on heads-up poker, widely regarded as one of the game’s purest and most psychologically demanding formats.
Pros and Celebrities Alike
Several high-profile names have already been confirmed for the 2025 lineup:
- Professional players: Michael Mizrachi, Jason Koon, Liv Boeree, Chris Moneymaker, Erik Seidel, Doug Polk, Phil Galfond, Shaun Deeb
- Celebrities: Bryce Hall (influencer), Richard Seymour (NFL legend), Nick Wright (sports commentator), T.J. Lavin (BMX champion and TV host), Rob Riggle (actor-comedian), Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano (reality TV star)
The organizers have teased additional celebrity participants, ensuring broad appeal—from die-hard poker fans to casual viewers.
Why This Matters for Poker
The return of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship is more than a nostalgic revival; it’s a strategic move to bring poker back into the mainstream spotlight. The heads-up format is fast-paced, intense, and ideal for television—offering a unique window into the psychological dynamics of high-level poker.
As Mori Eskandani, President of PokerGO, put it:
“The National Heads-Up Poker Championship helped define the golden era of televised poker. We’re proud to work with PokerStars to reintroduce this iconic brand to a new generation of fans.”
Francine Watson, Associate Director of Content & Creative Services at PokerStars, added:
“Bringing back events like the National Heads-Up is one of the most exciting ways to reignite interest in poker. The mix of pros and celebrities creates entertainment that resonates with all audiences.”
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