Top 10 changes for this year's World Series of Poker

The 2026 World Series of Poker is starting up next week, and the excitement is building up. Thousands of eager poker players will descend upon Las Vegas to compete for big prizes, gold bracelets, and their claim at poker fame.

This year’s WSOP schedule brings 100 events spread over the seven-week period, so the number of bracelets up for grabs is identical to that in 2025.

However, there are quite a few interesting and important changes to this year’s World Series of Poker that you should be aware of, both as a player and as a poker fan looking to experience the excitement from home.

Everything you need to know about the 2026 WSOP.

Full bracelet schedule, hotel discount codes, livestream details, and ways to qualify - all in one place.

WSOP 2026 Info Hub: https://t.co/lEvDGVHblU
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) April 30, 2026

10. The 2026 WSOP brings the next level of hype
One change for this year’s World Series of Poker is a new and improved experience for all poker fans.

With free daily streams, coverage of multiple events, a boosted production team, and the ESPN deal, it is clear that the WSOP is looking to bring the hype to the maximum and celebrate all bracelet winners like never before. There’s been a lot of buildup so far, and with the summer series just around the corner, the excitement will continue to grow. In many ways, the 2026 WSOP could mark a significant turning point in how poker is presented to the world.

9. Circuit series right after the 2026 WSOP
Looking to keep the action going, the World Series of Poker team decided to do something we haven’t seen in the past. Right as the summer series wraps up, a WSOP Circuit festival will kick off.

That series kicks off on 14 July, featuring 18 events in total. This will allow players still in Vegas for the end of the 2026 WSOP to hang around and continue their tournament grind, if they’re so inclined. As always, buy-ins range from $300 to $5,000, including the $1,700 Main Event, so there are some picks for everyone.

8. More options for PLO fans
The 2026 WSOP schedule includes some extra events that all fans of the great game of Pot Limit Omaha will appreciate. The two new tournaments are Event 53 - $1,500 Five Card PLO and Event #91 – Pick Your PLO.

Both events have relatively low buy-ins, which should help them attract a decent number of players. The Pick Your PLO tournament is particularly interesting, played in the dealer-choice style, with players allowed to choose from PLO, 5-Card PLO, PLO 8, and Big O.

7. Battle of the Ages removed from the schedule
Although the number of events on the 2026 WSOP schedule has remained the same as in 2025, there have been some internal changes. A few tournaments have been removed, and a few new ones added.

Among the notable casualties is the Battle of the Ages event, an interesting format that saw the field divided into two groups to kick things off. Players were split by age (over and under 50), and the survivors of the initial flights merged to continue as normal.

This particular format has gained quite a bit of popularity, with many other festivals, like the Irish Open, endorsing it, so it’s strange to see the WSOP doing away with it. However, the organizers try to change things around every year, and, in 2026, the Battle of the Ages was the casualty of those changes.

6. Jeff Platt joins the WSOP production team
One of the most popular poker commentators, Jeff Platt, will be on the World Series of Poker team this year, ensuring quality coverage of the festival.

He’ll take on a double role as a host and a producer, and Platt’s experience in covering major poker events will certainly help make this year’s WSOP coverage one of the best we’ve seen. Platt has already done a great job building up the hype for the summer, and we’re excited to see what he and the rest of the production team have in store.

Over the years, @jeffplatt has become part of so many unforgettable WSOP moments.

Now, we’re excited to officially welcome him to the team ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/yjL4thBL9B
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) May 15, 2026

5. WSOP+ App is now WSOP Live App
The WSOP+ app has become an essential part of the World Series of Poker experience. All participants must have the app installed on their phones and their accounts active and fully verified. Overall, the app has improved the experience by allowing for quicker registration, easier tournament tracking, and more.

What’s important to know is that WSOP+ has been rebranded as WSOP Live. The change is purely in name, as everything else remains the same, but if you’re going to the series for the first time, it’s something to note.

Simply put, you need to download the WSOP Live app on your phone, register an account, and then verify it once you get to Las Vegas (as a first-time user). Google can be a bit confusing here, with the old name still hanging around, so don’t worry about it. WSOP+ has been rebranded as WSOP Live, and that’s the only app you’ll need for the series.

4. New opening event for the 2026 WSOP
The 2026 World Series of Poker kicks off on May 26, which is one day earlier than usual. The festival will start with a brand-new event: the $550 Mini Mystery Millions.

This is an interesting decision by the organizers, likely designed to attract as many people as possible, as early as possible. Having a low buy-in tournament kicking things off will likely draw a big crowd to town, kicking the summer off in style.

3. 2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table will be delayed
For the last few years, there have been no significant delays to the Main Event final table, aside from a short break for players to rest and reset before playing on the big stage. This year, however, it will be slightly different.

The Main Event action takes place 2-13 July. On 13 July, we will know the names of the final nine players. These nine will come back to play down to the winner on 3 August. So, there will be a three-week break from when the final table is set and the action restarts.

The main reason for this decision is to give the production teams some time to build the hype around it. Fans will get an opportunity to learn more details about the final nine and pick who to root for.

2. Renewed WSOP & ESPN partnership
For the first time in a while, the World Series of Poker will be coming back to ESPN. As a part of their efforts to improve the coverage of poker’s biggest festival, WSOP has partnered up with the sporting network to bring the Main Event action back to TV.

The coverage will begin on 2 July and last for the entire tournament, featuring over 100 hours of content. Fans at home will get to experience the Main Event from the moment the cards get in the air to the final hand that will crown the new poker champion.

For broader international coverage and additional tournament updates beyond the official broadcast, platforms like SoMuchPoker provide ongoing insights into major poker events throughout the year.

1. Completely free daily coverage
Last year, many fans were frustrated that the free WSOP coverage was very limited, and those who wanted more had to shell out for a PokerGO or YouTube subscription. For 2026, free daily streams are back in full force.

For the entire duration of the 2026 World Series of Poker, starting with May 26, the official start date of the series, everyone will be able to follow along thanks to daily YouTube streams. These streams will be available on official channels and completely free.

From what we’ve heard so far, the WSOP is going all out for the summer coverage, with a brand-new filming and streaming setup at Paris and Las Vegas, so it’s something to be excited about.