WSOP Circuit 2026: Calendar-Year Shift & $5K Bonuses for Ring Winners

mauritz-altikardes
04 Dec 2025
Mauritz Altikardes 04 Dec 2025
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  • WSOP 2026 moves to a January–December calendar-year format.
  • $5K packages for every gold ring winner to key events.
  • WSOP+ App integration for a streamlined experience.
WSOPC 2026
WSOP Circuit 2026 Schedule is out!
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is shaking up the Circuit in a big way. In a major announcement today regarding the 2026 WSOP Circuit (WSOP-C), officials revealed not only the schedule for the first half of the year but also a permanent shift to a calendar-year format and a massive value-add for ring hunters.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming season running from January through May 2026.

The Big News: Every Ring Winner Gets a $5K Package

For grinders chasing hardware, the stakes just got higher. The WSOP has announced that every single gold ring winner during the 2026 season will receive an exclusive $5,000 WSOP package.
This isn't just a seat; the package includes tournament buy-ins and hotel accommodations. Winners can choose to redeem this package at either:
  • WSOP Europe
  • WSOP Paradise
This adds significant equity to every Circuit stop, essentially creating a "Winner’s Circle" incentive that pushes players toward the major destination festivals.

A New Era: The Calendar-Year Format

Gone is the traditional seasonal overlap. The 2026 season marks a strategic pivot to a January–December schedule. This change is designed to simplify travel planning for pros and recreational players alike.
"
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.

"
Ty Stewart, WSOP CEO

Tech Upgrade: WSOP+ App

If you hate waiting in line at the cage, you’re in luck.
The WSOP+ app will be fully integrated into all confirmed 2026 stops. This digital platform allows players to handle registration, view real-time data, and check payout information directly from their phones, streamlining the experience from entry to exit.

The 2026 Schedule (Part 1, January - May)

The initial slate includes major domestic stops and a strong international presence. The standard $1,700 Main Event returns, along with standardized structures across the board.

U.S Tour Stops

Tournament DatesTournament Location
January 1 - January 12, 2026Planet Hollywood (Las Vegas, Nevada)
January 8 - January 19, 2026Choctaw Casino & Resort (Durant, Oklahoma)
January 15 - January 26, 2026Thunder Valley Casino (Lincoln, California)
January 22 - February 2, 2026Horseshoe Tunica (Tunica, Mississippi)
January 29 - February 9, 2026Harrah’s Pompano Beach (Pompano Beach, Florida)
February 12 - February 23, 2026Harrah’s Cherokee (Cherokee, North Carolina)
February 19 -March 2, 2026Horseshoe Baltimore (Baltimore, Maryland)
February 26 - March 9, 2026Horseshoe Hammond (Hammond, Indiana)
March 5 - March 16, 2026Hard Rock Tulsa (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
March 12 - March 23, 2026Turning Stone Resort Casino (Verona, New York)
March 19 - March 30, 2026Horseshoe Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada)
April 2 - April 13, 2026Grand Victoria Casino (Elgin, Illinois)
April 16 - April 27, 2026Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe (Stateline, Nevada)
April 16 - April 27, 2026Horseshoe Tunica (Tunica, Mississippi)
April 23 - May 4, 2026Texas Card House (Austin, Texas)
May 7 - May 18, 2026Commerce Casino (Commerce, California)
May 7 - May 18, 2026Harrah’s Cherokee (Cherokee, North Carolina)
May 14 - May 25, 2026Caesars New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana)

International Tour Stops

Tournament DatesTournament Location
January 1 - January 13, 2026King’s Resort (Rozvadov, Czech Republic)
January 7 - January 19, 2026Deerfoot Inn & Casino (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
January 16 - January 25, 2026Es Saadi Casino (Marrakesh, Morocco)
February 26 - March 10, 2026Grand Casino (Gamprin, Liechtenstein) 
March 23 - April 7, 2026Playground (Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada)
April 10 - April 21, 2026Pasino Partouche (Aix-en-Provence, France)

Online Qualifiers

For international players looking to get in for cheap, GGPoker is anticipated to host online satellites for many of the non-U.S. Main Events. Players are encouraged to check the GGPoker client for satellite schedules.

Upcoming Events

20 June 2026