The 2026 edition of the World Series of Poker is officially underway in Las Vegas, marking the start of poker’s most prestigious annual festival. This year’s series once again takes place at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, where players from around the world will compete for 100 gold bracelets over the coming weeks.
The 57th edition of the WSOP began on May 26 and will conclude on August 5 with the final stages of the Main Event.
First Bracelet Events Are Already Running
Action got underway immediately with two bracelet tournaments opening the schedule.
The first was the $550 Mini Mystery Millions, one of the most accessible large-field events on the calendar. Alongside it, the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em 8-Handed event catered to higher-stakes players looking for an early shot at WSOP gold.
The traditional “Shuffle Up and Deal” ceremony was delivered by reigning 2025 world champion Michael Mizrachi before cards officially went into the air.
WSOP Returns to ESPN
One of the biggest stories surrounding this year’s series is the WSOP’s return to ESPN.
After recent years under the broadcast partnership with PokerGO and CBS Sports Network, the iconic poker series is once again tied to the network that helped bring poker into the mainstream during the 2000s poker boom.
For many longtime fans, ESPN’s return adds a strong nostalgic element to the 2026 series, especially considering the network’s role in turning the WSOP Main Event into a global television phenomenon.
Main Event Gets a Different Schedule
The $10,000 WSOP Main Event begins on July 2 and is scheduled to reach its final table on July 13.
However, unlike recent years, the tournament will feature a significant pause before the conclusion. The final table will resume from August 3-5, creating the first extended break before the finale since 2016.
Most Main Event coverage will be available through the ESPN App, while the final three days are expected to air live on ESPN and ESPN2.
Free Daily Livestreams Throughout the Series
Another major development for 2026 is the expanded free livestream coverage.
The WSOP plans to broadcast live coverage across 51 days through its official YouTube and Twitch channels, giving fans far greater access to the series than in previous years.
Featured tables and streamed final tables will primarily be hosted inside the Paris Ballroom.
The commentary lineup includes several familiar poker personalities:
- Nick Schulman
- Ali Nejad
- Joe Stapleton
- Maria Ho
- David Williams
- Jeff Platt
While No Limit Hold’em events will remain the primary focus of the broadcasts, mixed-game coverage is also expected during the summer.
Can the 2026 WSOP Break More Records?
Last year’s WSOP produced record-breaking field sizes and prize pools across multiple events, raising expectations for another massive summer in Las Vegas.
With expanded free coverage, ESPN’s return, and growing global interest in live poker, the 2026 WSOP is shaping up to be one of the most watched editions of the series in recent years.
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