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15 Jun 2026Read More
Global Poker Awards Take a Break in 2026 After a Decade of International Ceremonies
- The Global Poker Awards will not be held in 2026 due to workload constraints.
- Race-based trophies like the GPI Player of the Year will still be awarded.
- The decision is a strategic pause, not a permanent end to the awards.
The poker industry will look a little different next year. The Global Poker Awards, long considered the community’s annual round-up of standout performances, will not be held in 2026. After staging ceremonies across Europe and North America for more than ten years, the GPI and Hendon Mob team has decided the workload is no longer manageable.
A Practical Pause, Not a Permanent Goodbye
GPI/THM President Eric Danis explained that the ceremony requires a significant amount of staff time.
We’re a very small team and the awards process as a whole takes two members of our team out of the day-to-day operations for two months every year.
Danis reflected on the unusual journey of the Awards, which has included stops in France, Monte Carlo, Malta, Hollywood, and Las Vegas.
If you had told a younger me that I’d be part of a team organizing awards ceremonies… I wouldn’t have believed you.
While there was no suggestion of the Awards returning soon, the tone of the announcement felt more like a strategic pause than a farewell.
Hosts Thanked for Bringing the Show to Life
GPI extended appreciation to the presenters who have been a big part of making the Awards feel memorable, names like Kara Scott, Joe Stapleton, Ali Nejad, Maria Ho, Lynn Gilmartin, Drea Renee, and Jeff Platt.
Each brought a different flavor to the show, shaping it into an event that mixed humour, personality, and recognition.
Ranking Awards Will Continue
Even without the full ceremony, GPI and THM confirmed that the organization will still reward the year’s top performers. GPI Player of the Year, The Hendon Mob Award, and other race-based trophies will continue to be issued.
Players will still receive hardware, just without the bright lights and stage.
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