The World Series of Poker has laid out the early portion of its 2026 WSOP Circuit calendar, confirming a wide-ranging mix of U.S. and international events to run from January through May. The rollout marks the start of a new year-round structure, replacing the prior system that paused around the summer. In total, 24 stops are slated for the first five months, including 18 in the United States and six abroad.

“The WSOP Circuit is the lifeblood of our brand, consistently delivering world-class poker and massive prize pools to players across the globe,” said Ty Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of WSOP, in the official press release. He added, “Shifting to a calendar-year season for 2026 marks a new era of predictability for our players, allowing them to better plan their pursuit of the coveted gold rings.”

First Half of 2026 Brings Expanded Access and Returning Venues

The new season begins on January 1 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, opening a run of domestic events that includes long-standing Circuit mainstays in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Indiana. Additional early-year stops include Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant (January 8–19), Thunder Valley Casino in California (January 15–26), and Harrah’s Cherokee, which appears twice—February 12–23 and again May 7–18.

Several Las Vegas events are on the calendar, including a March 19–30 return to Horseshoe Las Vegas. Other notable venues include Horseshoe Tunica (January 22–February 2 and April 16–27), Horseshoe Baltimore (February 19–March 2), and Hard Rock Tulsa (March 5–16). The April schedule features Grand Victoria Casino in Illinois and Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe. Players in Texas will see a milestone moment when Texas Card House in Austin (April 23–May 4) hosts the state’s first WSOP-branded stop.

On the West Coast, Commerce Casino in California is scheduled for May 7–18, coinciding with the second Harrah’s Cherokee stop. Caesars New Orleans wraps the first half of the domestic slate from May 14–25.

International Stops Stretch Across Europe, Africa, and Canada

The six overseas stops provide a mix of established and first-time hosts. King’s Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, launches the international itinerary from January 1–13. Canada hosts two events: Deerfoot Inn & Casino in Calgary (January 7–19) and Playground in Kahnawake, Quebec (March 23–April 7). Between those stops, players can head to Es Saadi Casino in Marrakesh, Morocco (January 16–25).

Grand Casino in Gamprin, Liechtenstein will hold its first WSOP Circuit festival from February 26–March 10. The initial half of the international program concludes at Pasino Partouche in Aix-en-Provence, France, from April 10–21. Satellite events for several non-U.S. stops are expected through GGPoker, which is anticipated to host online qualifiers.

Player Perks and Digital Tools Remain Central to the 2026 Plan

Every gold ring winner in the 2026 Circuit season will earn a $5,000 WSOP package valid for WSOP Europe or WSOP Paradise. The package covers both accommodations and the corresponding tournament buy-in.

The WSOP+ app will again serve as the standard tool for every stop. Organizers emphasize its role in offering registration options, payout details, and real-time event data. According to the Circuit announcement, “the digital platform is designed to enhance the player experience from entry to exit, offering streamlined tournament registration, payout information, and real-time data access for every event.”

Main Event buy-ins for domestic stops remain at $1,700. International festivals will continue to use similar entry points based on local currencies. Full schedules for individual venues will go online once approved by local regulators.

The WSOP plans to release the remainder of the 2026 schedule—covering June through December—during summer 2026, ahead of the annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Organizers also note that additional early-year stops may be added later.