WSOP Europe 2026, Kicks Off in Prague on March 31st... Record-Breaking €10 Million Guaranteed Main Event Draws Attention
The World Series of Poker (WSOP), the world's most prestigious poker tournament series, is set to make history by designating Prague as the host city for its 2026 European series. Held at the Hilton Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, from March 31st to April 12th, this tournament will feature a total of 15 gold bracelet events, with the Main Event notably expanding to its largest scale ever.
Buy-in Halved, Guaranteed Prize Pool Doubled
The most striking change is the Main Event's structural overhaul. The buy-in has been nearly halved from the previous €10,350 to €5,300, while the guaranteed prize pool has been significantly expanded to €10 million (approximately 14.5 billion KRW). This marks the largest guarantee in WSOP Europe history, reflecting the organizers' commitment to lowering the barrier to entry for more players while simultaneously increasing the prize money.
Ty Stewart, CEO of WSOP, stated, “As we usher in a new era for WSOP Europe in Prague, it was crucial that the schedule reflected the entire poker community. We are committed to providing the best value and the biggest stage in the world.”
New Ladies Championship... A Special Event for Female Players
Another highlight of WSOP Europe 2026 is the introduction of the Ladies Championship. Held on Saturday, April 4th, this event has a buy-in of €1,000 and is exclusively for female players. The winner will receive a specially crafted Ladies-only gold bracelet, distinct from the standard gold bracelets. This custom-designed bracelet, set with additional jewels, is expected to become a unique symbol of the women's event.
Many renowned female players from around the world have already confirmed their participation. UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Mackenzie Dern was the first to register, with Spain's Leo Margets, Canada's Vanessa Kade, Taiwan's Kitty Kuo, and Japan's Shiina Okamoto also expressing their intent to participate. The strong involvement of players from the Asian region, in particular, is drawing anticipation for this to become a celebration of the global women's poker community.
Rounders Cup and European Circuit Championship Also Newly Added
Among the total of 15 events, new tournaments have been included. The Rounders Cup, starting on April 7th, will be a team-based event in the format of 'Europe vs. The Rest of the World,' featuring a €2,750 buy-in and two days of flights. Additionally, the European Circuit Championship, with a €1,500 buy-in and a total guarantee of €1.5 million, offers a significant opportunity for mid-stakes players.
Super High Roller events are also not to be missed. The Super High Roller on April 8th has a buy-in of €20,800, and on April 9th, the GGMILLION$ High Roller with an $8,400 buy-in is scheduled, anticipating fierce competition among high-roller players.
Annual Player of the Year Race with a $1 Million Prize Pool
Starting in 2026, WSOP has established a unified Player of the Year competition encompassing its three major series: Europe, Las Vegas, and Paradise. A total prize pool of $1 million (approximately 1.4 billion KRW) has been created, with the ultimate winner receiving a WSOP Paradise package worth $100,000. The top 100 players will receive rewards based on their ranking, and the annual leaderboard points race will continue throughout the year.
The journey beginning in Prague will continue from May 26th to July 15th at the Horseshoe & Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, finally concluding with WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas from December 1st to 18th. Players will compete fiercely across these three tournaments for the title of the ultimate poker player.
Online Qualification Opportunities Available via GGPoker
For players who find it difficult to travel directly to Prague, online qualification opportunities have been arranged. Players can qualify for WSOP Europe 2026 packages through GGPoker, while domestic US players can participate in qualifiers via WSOP Online. This opens the door wide for players worldwide to challenge for a gold bracelet.
Players planning to attend the Las Vegas event can use the code “WSOP26” when booking hotels to secure the best rates at the Horseshoe and Paris hotels. As the 2025 WSOP recorded its largest-ever participation and prize pool, early booking is also recommended for 2026.
Comments
0