The new schedule includes 24 stops and begins on January 1
The World Series of Poker is shaking up its approach to the WSOP Circuit next year, shifting to a full calendar-year structure for the first time. Schedules for the opening half of the 2026 season were released this week, outlining 24 stops across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Africa. The tour begins January 1 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas and runs through May 25, ending at Caesars New Orleans.
As the WSOP Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty begins today at WSOP Paradise 2025, the WSOP unveils the first half of the 2026 WSOP Circuit schedule.
Adopting a calendar-year season format, poker players around the world can look forward to competing for gold rings at their… pic.twitter.com/jmu1hMk6GQ
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) December 4, 2025
WSOP leadership said the move is designed to bring clearer planning and more consistency to the Circuit. By operating on a January-to-December timeline, players can map out their travel and chase gold rings with fewer surprises. CEO Ty Stewart described the updated format as offering a new level of predictability for the thousands of competitors who follow the tour each year.
A key added benefit for 2026 is that every gold ring winner will receive a $5,000 package to help cover entry fees and lodging for WSOP Europe or WSOP Paradise. This incentive is meant to support aspiring players and create a smoother bridge between Circuit success and major global WSOP festivals.
Main Event buy-ins remain familiar, holding steady at $1,700 in the U.S., with comparable pricing used internationally. The WSOP International Circuit will again run online satellites through GGPoker, with confirmed stops including the Côte d’Azur and Marrakesh. More locations are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Players can also expect continued use of the WSOP+ app, which has streamlined registration, tracking, and live updates. WSOP plans to release the second half of the 2026 schedule next summer, ahead of the annual Main Event in Las Vegas.
