ACR Poker Expands Ambassador Roster with Foxen, Kornuth, and Hunichen
27 May 2026Read More
Joe Stapleton Joins World Series of Poker
- Joe Stapleton joins WSOP broadcast team for 2026 Las Vegas series.
- After 15+ years, Stapleton leaves PokerStars for a new chapter.
- He brings his entertainment-first philosophy to WSOP coverage.
Image Credit: WSOP Twitter
Joe Stapleton has joined the World Series of Poker broadcast team for the 2026 series in Las Vegas. After a long partnership with PokerStars, Stapleton heads to the WSOP.
Renowned poker commentator Joe "Stapes" Stapleton is officially joining the enhanced World Series of Poker broadcast team ahead of the 2026 WSOP series in Las Vegas.
This transition follows a career spanning more than 15 years as a commentator for the PokerStars live and online poker brand.
The move to the historic tournament series was anticipated by fans and industry insiders. Stapleton previously announced that the European Poker Tour Monte Carlo event would serve as his final broadcast with PokerStars, where he worked alongside his longtime broadcasting partner, James Hartigan.
The move to WSOP marks a full-circle milestone for Stapleton, whose poker media career has endured for over two decades.
A Return to the WSOP
Stapleton first worked with the World Series of Poker more than 20 years ago. His return to the brand brings his distinct and well-known presentation style back to the summer series. Throughout his career, Stapleton has maintained a specific philosophy regarding how poker content should be delivered to audiences.
According to Stapleton, the game of poker is highly exciting to play but can be difficult for uninitiated viewers to watch. He believes that to make audiences fall in love with poker, the broadcast must focus on entertainment first.
This commentary philosophy helped shape the framework of modern poker broadcasts and has served as an inspiration for numerous contemporary poker content creators throughout the media landscape.
A New Chapter in Las Vegas
The decision to shift focus toward the Las Vegas based tournament series comes after years of extensive international travel.
Stapleton noted that recent significant life changes served as the primary catalyst for this career shift, pushing him toward this new chapter with the World Series of Poker.
He will now bring his established entertainment-first broadcasting style to the expanded media coverage planned for the 2026 tournament line-up.
Upcoming Events
27 May 2026
Triton Montenegro 2026 Poker
The "Yacht Week of Poker" Returns: Your Guide to Triton Montenegro 2026
WSOP Circuit Tallin 2026 Poker
The WSOP Circuit Returns to Estonia: Inside the 2026 Tallinn Summer Festival
WPT Australia 2026 Poker
The World Poker Tour Returns Down Under: A Look at the WPT Australia 2026 Festival
28 May 2026
WPT Global $250 Freebuy Poker
PokerWired x WPT Global $250 GTD Freebuy: Thursday Bankroll Booster is Here!
Poker EventsStarts in
Latest News
-
New Update -
WSOPC EuropeThe Road to Gold: The Remaining WSOPC Europe Schedule for 202627 May 2026Read More
-
Hippodrome CasinoThe Limits of Poker Etiquette: London Court Upholds Hippodrome Casino Ban Over Cash Game Dispute26 May 2026Read More
-
June PromotionGet Ready For GGPoker’s $14M June Giveaway26 May 2026Read More
-
New stopWSOP Circuit Heads to Mexico City for Inaugural 2026 Festival26 May 2026Read More
