The U.S. Poker Open (USPO) is the flagship stop on the PokerGO Tour, held each spring inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. It draws the world's best high-stakes players for a multi-event series with buy-ins from $5,000 to $25,000+, with all final tables streamed live on PokerGO. The player who accumulates the most PGT points across all events wins the Golden Eagle trophy and a $25,000 PGT Passport.
USPO 2026 Key Information
- Edition: 8th annual
- Venue: PokerGO Studio, ARIA Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
- Dates: April 10–23, 2026
- Number of events: 10
- Buy-in range: $5,100 – $25,200
- Format: No-Limit Hold'em (all events)
- 2026 Series Champion: Brock Wilson
- Champion prize: Golden Eagle trophy + $25,000 PGT Passport
- 2026 Finale winner and payout: David Coleman, payout $420,000
- Next USPO: Spring 2027 (dates TBA)
2026 US Poker Open Schedule & Results
The 2026 edition ran from April 10 to 23 at the PokerGO Studio, featuring ten No-Limit Hold'em events. Brock Wilson was crowned the overall series champion, becoming the first back-to-back PGT series winner since Sean Winter in 2022, having also won the 2026 PokerGO Cup the month prior.
The series was defined by two power couples: Brock Wilson and Cherish Andrews won three events combined, while Alex Foxen and Kristen Foxen each claimed a title, setting a record for a poker couple with five of the ten trophies between them.
| Event | Date | Buy-in | Entries | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 – NLH | Apr 10–11 | $5,100 | 93 | Brock Wilson | $120,900 |
| #2 – NLH | Apr 12 | $5,100 | 98 | Clemen Deng | $127,400 |
| #3 – NLH | Apr 13 | $5,100 | 115 | Cherish Andrews | $117,407 |
| #4 – NLH | Apr 14–15 | $10,100 | 66 | Kristen Foxen | $198,000 |
| #5 – NLH | Apr 15–16 | $10,100 | 80 | Peter Placey | $224,000 |
| #6 – NLH | Apr 16–17 | $10,100 | 80 | Brock Wilson | $224,000 |
| #7 – NLH | Apr 17–18 | $10,100 | 70 | Alex Foxen | $210,000 |
| #8 – NLH | Apr 19–20 | $15,100 | 61 | Joao Simao | $292,800 |
| #9 – NLH | Apr 20–21 | $15,100 | 61 | Aram Zobian | $292,800 |
| #10 – NLH (Finale) | Apr 22–23 | $25,200 | 48 | David Coleman | $420,000 |
2025 U.S. Poker Open Results
The 2025 edition ran April 8–17 with eight events. Shannon Shorr won the series championship in photo-finish fashion. He needed to win the finale to overtake Matthew Wantman, and did so with just 26 points separating them at the close of the series.
| Event | Entries | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 – $5,100 NLH | 129 | Kristen Foxen | $158,025 |
| #2 – $10,100 NLH | 99 | Jesse Lonis | $252,450 |
| #3 – $10,100 NLH | 109 | Michael Rossitto | $277,950 |
| #4 – $10,100 NLH | 103 | Matthew Wantman | $231,300 |
| #5 – $10,100 NLH | 76 | Shannon Shorr | $220,400 |
| #6 – $15,100 NLH | 98 | Brandon Wilson | $382,200 |
| #7 – $15,100 NLH | 81 | Alex Foxen | $340,200 |
| #8 – $25,200 NLH (Finale) | 73 | Shannon Shorr | $529,250 |
Latest USPO Series Champions
The player with the most PGT points at the end of the USPO wins the Golden Eagle trophy and a $25,000 PGT Passport. David Peters is the only two-time overall champion, winning back-to-back in 2019 and 2021. The 2020 edition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Year | Events | Series Champion | Wins | Series Earnings | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 8 | Stephen Chidwick | 2 | $1,256,650 | Keith Tilston |
| 2019 | 10 | David Peters | 1 | $1,584,800 | Sean Winter |
| 2020 | — | Not held (COVID-19) | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 12 | David Peters | 3 | $832,950 | Sean Winter |
| 2022 | 12 | Sean Winter | 2 | $1,196,000 | Tamon Nakamura |
| 2023 | 10 | Martin Zamani | 1 | $835,800 | Ren Lin |
| 2024 | 8 | Aram Zobian | 1 | $613,540 | Stephen Chidwick |
| 2025 | 8 | Shannon Shorr | 2 | $749,650 | Matthew Wantman |
| 2026 | 10 | Brock Wilson | 2 | TBC | Cherish Andrews |
Latest USPO Finale Winners
The USPO finale has evolved from $50,000–$100,000 buy-ins in the early editions to its current $25,200 format. Sean Winter is the only player to win the finale in back-to-back editions (2021 and 2022).
| Year | Buy-in | Entries | Winner | Prize | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $50,000 | 33 | Keith Tilston | $660,000 | Jake Schindler |
| 2019 | $100,000 | 33 | David Peters | $1,320,000 | Chris Hunichen |
| 2021 | $50,000 | 42 | Sean Winter | $756,000 | Stephen Chidwick |
| 2022 | $50,000 | 42 | Sean Winter | $756,000 | Masashi Oya |
| 2023 | $50,000 | 37 | Martin Zamani | $666,000 | Nick Petrangelo |
| 2024 | $25,200 | 52 | Stephen Chidwick | — | — |
| 2025 | $25,200 | 73 | Shannon Shorr | $529,250 | Matthew Wantman |
| 2026 | $25,200 | 48 | David Coleman | $420,000 | Kristen Foxen |
PGT Leadeboard 2026 – Top 20
| Rank | Player | PGT Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Lichtenberger | 531 |
| 2 | Michael Berk | 525 |
| 3 | Andrew Moreno | 518 |
| 4 | Qinghai Pan | 478 |
| 5 | Dan Smith | 427 |
| 6 | Clemen Deng | 423 |
| 7 | Ariel Mantel | 400 |
| 8 | Daniel Maor | 386 |
| 9 | Taylor Paur | 348 |
| 10 | Brian Battistone | 347 |
| 11 | Yuri Dzivielevski | 347 |
| 12 | Nick Schulman | 339 |
| 13 | Ethan Yau | 291 |
| 14 | Chino Rheem | 285 |
| 15 | Ryan Hoenig | 269 |
| 16 | Brock Wilson | 257 |
| 17 | Patrick Leonard | 245 |
| 18 | Jim Collopy | 231 |
| 19 | Maksim Pisarenko | 217 |
| 20 | David Coleman | 203 |
How to Enter the USPO
The USPO is a direct buy-in series meaning no satellite qualification required. Any player who can fund the buy-in can enter.
- Direct on-site registration: Buy in at ARIA during the festival window
- Rake-free entry: Players who register before the published deadline pay no house rake
- Re-entry: Most events allow double re-entry; the finale is typically single re-entry only
- No online satellite path: Unlike the EPT or WPT, there is no online qualifier route into the live USPO
- Open to all players: The US Poker Open is open to all players, but the field consists mainly of US and Canadian players.
US Poker Open Online: Global Poker Mirror Series
Global Poker runs a parallel online U.S. Poker Open each year alongside the live series, offering up to 18 online events for players who want to compete remotely in the spirit of the USPO.
USPO Guide For First Timers
What to Expect
The USPO is a studio-based high-roller series, not a large-field festival. Key differences compared to events like the WSOP or EPT:
- Small, elite fields: Most events draw 50–130 players. Competition is professional-grade at every table
- TV production at every final table: Hole-card cameras, commentary, and live PokerGO streaming are standard
- Fast-moving schedule: One to two events per day; the full series wraps in under two weeks
- High buy-ins from event one: The cheapest events start at $5,100
Practical Tips
- Register early: The rake-free window closes before late registration opens — always check the deadline before you arrive
- Bring valid ID: Required for on-site registration at ARIA
- Know re-entry rules: Two entries maximum in most events; one entry only in the finale
- Watch before you play: Full final table replays are available on PokerGO. Study the player pool and format before your first USPO is time well spent
- Plan for long days: Multi-day events run deep into the evening; final table streams often run late into the nigh
US Poker Open FAQ
What is the U.S. Poker Open?
The U.S. Poker Open is an annual high-stakes multi-event series run by PokerGO as the flagship stop of the PokerGO Tour. It is held every spring inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The player who earns the most PGT points across all events wins the Golden Eagle trophy and a $25,000 PGT Passport.
When does the USPO run?
The series runs for approximately two weeks each April. The 2026 edition ran April 10–23. Exact dates for future editions are announced via PokerGO and PGT.com. You also find them on this page as we are constantly updating it with the latest USPO infos.
What are the buy-ins?
The 2026 edition ranged from $5,100 to $25,200. Historically, buy-ins have gone as high as $100,000 for the 2019 finale. The current standard format runs $5,100 openers scaling to a $25,200 finale.
Can I qualify online for the USPO?
No. The USPO does not offer an official online satellite pathway. All entries must be purchased directly, either on-site at ARIA or via pre-registration where available. Global Poker runs a separate online mirror series for players who cannot travel.
Who has won the series title the most times?
David Peters is the only two-time overall champion (2019, 2021). No other player has claimed the Golden Eagle trophy more than once.
What is the Golden Eagle trophy?
The Golden Eagle is the custom series champion award, made by Bennett Awards. A full-size eagle is presented to the overall series champion. A smaller version is awarded to individual event winners.
Where can I watch the USPO?
All USPO final tables are streamed live on PokerGO (pokergo.com). A subscription is required for live and on-demand access. Highlight packages are available free on the PokerGO YouTube channel.
Is the USPO suitable for recreational players?
The USPO is primarily a professional-grade series with small, elite fields. Recreational players do enter and can win. Peter Placey's Event #5 victory at the 2026 edition is the most recent example. Players should be comfortable in $5,000+ NLH cash games or tournaments before entering.