- World Poker Tour Schedule 2026
- Latest WPT Main Event Results 2025-2026
- WPT World Championship 2025 Results
- How to Qualify for the WPT World Championship 2026 and Other WPT Events
- First-Time WPT Guide for New Live Poker Players
- World Poker Tour FAQs
The World Poker Tour (WPT) is one of the biggest and most respected live poker tours in the world, bringing flagship Main Events, side tournaments, and qualifiers to major stops across North America, Asia, Australia, and beyond.
It attracts everyone from seasoned pros and online satellite winners to recreational players chasing the full live poker buzz and shots at up to seven-figure paydays.
WPT 2026 at a Glance
- Confirmed WPT stops 2026: 7
- Next upcoming WPT stop: WPT Australia (10 Sep 2026)
- Buy-in range: $1,100 - $20,000+
- WPT Main Event buy-in: $3,500-$10,400
- How to best qualify to WPT: Through WPT Global satellites, Passport Dollars
- Last WPT Main Tour winner: WPT Rolling Thunder, Alexander Farahi $193,725
World Poker Tour Schedule 2026
World Poker Tour has confirmed seven major stops for 2026 so far: Lucky Hearts, Cambodia, Venetian Spring, Rolling Thunder, Australia, and the season-ending World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. Canada’s Playground Winter Classic adds an exclusive WPT Global-branded event, while Prime Cyprus was cancelled due to regional issues.
| Stop | Venue | City / Country | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Hollywood, FL, United States | 06 Jan 2026 | $3,500 |
| WPT Cambodia Championship | NagaWorld Integrated Resort | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | 20 Jan 2026 | $3,500 |
| WPT Global Winter Classic | Playground Poker Club | Kahnawake, Canada | 18 Jan 2026 | $1,150 CAD |
| WPT Venetian Las Vegas Spring Championship | The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino | Las Vegas, NV, United States | 09 Feb 2026 | $5,000 |
| WPT Rolling Thunder | Thunder Valley Casino Resort | Lincoln, CA, United States | 16 Mar 2026 | $3,500 |
| WPT Australia | The Star Sydney Casino | Sydney, Australia | 10 Sep 2026 | $3,500 |
| WPT World Championship | Wynn Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV, United States | Dec 2026 | $10,400 |
Latest WPT Main Event Results 2025-2026
To give you a good idea of the scale of World Poker Tour events today, check the highlights from past WPT Main Events in the table below.
| Tournament | Entries | Total Prize Pool | Winner | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPT World Championship 2025 (Wynn) | 1,865 | $18,277,000 | Schuyler Thornton | $2,258,856 |
| WPT Prime Championship 2025 (Wynn) | 9,876 | $9,579,720 | Aaron Johnson | |
| WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open 2026 | 1,229 | $3,932,800 | Giuseppe Iadisernia | $611,700 |
| WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown 2025 | 1,755 | $5,616,000 | Art Peacock | $776,000 |
| WPT Choctaw Championship 2025 | 586 | $2,051,000 | Mike Vanier | $338,000 |
| WPT Venetian Spring Championship 2026 | 488 | $2,244,800 | Nick Seward | $418,700 |
| WPT Rolling Thunder 2026 | 310 | $992,000 | Alexander Farahi | $193,725* |
| WPT Cambodia Championship 2026 | 425 | $1,500,000 | Xiaosheng Zheng | $244,500* |
| WPT Prime Cambodia 2026 | 1,095 | $1,062,150 | Andrei Kalgin | $154,170 |
WPT World Championship 2025 Results
The WPT World Championship 2025 delivered elite-level action across No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and a full slate of mixed games, drawing top pros and ambitious grinders from around the globe. With massive prize pools and stacked fields throughout the series, the results paint a clear picture of who dominated the felt in one of the year’s most prestigious poker festivals. Below, you’ll find a complete breakdown of all NLH, Omaha, and Mixed Games winners and key finishes.
No-Limit Holdem Events and Results
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,400 No Limit Hold'em - WPT World Championship | 1,865 | $18,277,000 | Schuyler Thornton | $2,258,856 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em - WPT Prime Championship | 9,876 | $9,579,720 | Aaron Johnson | $1,010,400 |
| $3,000 No Limit Hold'em | 1,544 | $3,928,462 | Cliff Josephy | $700,157 |
| $25,400 No Limit Hold'em - High Roller | 89 | $2,225,000 | Darren Elias | $631,800 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em | 3,284 | $3,169,060 | Viet Vo | $374,230 |
| $1,600 No Limit Hold'em | 1,300 | $1,859,000 | Antonio Vargas Alvarado | $307,794 |
| $10,500 No Limit Hold'em - 8-Max | 94 | $902,400 | Clemen Deng | $267,742 |
| $1,100 + 500 No Limit Hold'em - Mystery Bounty | 1,253 | $1,472,190 | Justin Arnwine | $259,670 |
| $1,100 + 500 No Limit Hold'em - Mystery Bounty | 1,478 | $1,374,540 | Kelly Becker | $239,688 |
| $800 No Limit Hold'em | 2,941 | $2,043,995 | Eric Baldwin | $247,318 |
| $3,000 No Limit Hold'em - 6-Max | 314 | $857,220 | Tyler Jamison | $172,730 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em - Senior Championship 50+ | 749 | $722,785 | David Porter | $130,888 |
| $600 No Limit Hold'em | 1,353 | $690,030 | David Bradshaw | $88,172 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em | 422 | $411,540 | Josef Snejberg | $79,169 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em - Ladies Championship | 445 | $429,425 | Lily Lotfy | $82,636 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em | 376 | $366,600 | Agharazi Babayev | $72,139 |
| $2,000 + 1,000 No Limit Hold'em - Progressive Bounty | 186 | $321,780 | Erick De Leon | $63,585 |
| $25,400 No Limit Hold'em - High Roller | 39 | $975,000 | Brandon Wilson | $341,250 |
| $1,100 + 500 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo Bounty | 183 | $263,520 | Dan Ionut Hila | $33,735 |
| $600 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo | 358 | $184,370 | Jose Luis Medina Vargas | $36,548 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo | 145 | $141,375 | Adi Aizin | $38,170 |
| $800 No Limit Hold'em | 307 | $214,900 | Antuan Bunkley | $43,492 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo | 141 | $137,475 | Boris Kolev | $37,118 |
| $1,100 No Limit Hold'em - 6-Max Turbo | 243 | $236,925 | Todd Ivens | $52,360 |
| $600 No Limit Hold'em | 204 | $105,060 | Yansong Kou | $22,305 |
| $600 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo | 252 | $129,780 | Mark Crispin | $21,794 |
| $600 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo | 305 | $157,075 | Zachary Frank | $23,362 |
| $600 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo | 228 | $117,420 | Roger Franco | $24,496 |
Omaha Events and Results
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha - 5-Card | 136 | $371,280 | Maxx Coleman | $100,245 |
| $1,100 + 500 Pot Limit Omaha - PLO Mystery Bounty | 526 | $752,180 | Chase Crouch | $91,775 |
| $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha | 121 | $330,330 | Jonathan Borenstein | $90,837 |
| $2,000 + 1,000 Pot Limit Omaha - Progressive Bounty | 200 | $546,000 | Rob Wazwaz | $68,860 |
| $1,100 Big O | 328 | $319,800 | Veerachai Vongxaiburana | $57,464 |
| $1,600 Limit Omaha 8 Championship | 129 | $184,470 | Kathy Chang | $49,807 |
| $1,100 Pot Limit Omaha | 237 | $231,075 | Richard Ashby | $47,728 |
| $1,100 Pot Limit Omaha - Turbo | 187 | $182,325 | Ezra Abugazal | $44,622 |
| $1,100 + 500 Pot Limit Omaha - Turbo Bounty | 221 | $207,740 | Nitesh Rawtani | $41,225 |
| $1,100 Limit Omaha 8 | 147 | $141,855 | Ben Landowski | $38,301 |
| $1,100 + 500 Pot Limit Omaha - Turbo Bounty | 163 | $153,220 | Michael Wilson | $39,290 |
| $1,100 Pot Limit Omaha - 5-Card | 295 | $287,625 | Rafael Lebron | $51,122 |
| $600 Pot Limit Omaha - 5-Card Turbo | 136 | $70,040 | Steven Levy | $18,908 |
| $600 Pot Limit Omaha - 5-Card | 163 | $83,130 | Liran Betito | $19,253 |
| $600 Limit Omaha 8 | 123 | $62,730 | Edward Spivack | $17,251 |
Mixed Games Events and Results
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,600 H.O.R.S.E. Championship | $139 | $198,770 | Kristan Lord | $53,668 |
| $1,600 T.O.R.S.E. - Championship | $137 | $195,910 | Richard Ashby | $52,896 |
| $1,100 H.O.R.S.E. | $151 | $145,715 | Richard Bai | $37,365 |
| $1,100 Mixed Games - 2-7 Mixed Limits | $143 | $139,425 | Michael Wilklow | $35,252 |
| $1,100 T.O.R.S.E. | $170 | $164,050 | Joseph Carlson | $35,000 |
| $600 Limit Omaha 8/Stud 8 Mix | $216 | $110,160 | Charles Honkonen | $25,792 |
| $600 T.O.R.S.E. | $191 | $97,410 | Ross Hoffman | $23,839 |
| $600 T.O.R.S.E. | $116 | $59,160 | Michael Parizon | $13,290 |
| $600 Mixed Triple Draw | $132 | $68,340 | Derek Bugg | $14,923 |
How to Qualify for the WPT World Championship 2026 and Other WPT Events
The easiest way to qualify for WPT events is to choose one target event, then try to win your seat through online satellites or live casino satellites instead of paying the full buy-in. WPT Global is the main route for most non-US players, while ClubWPT is the main online route for many US players.
Step by step
- Pick the event you want to play:
Choose whether you want a WPT World Championship seat, a WPT Main Tour event, or a WPT Prime event, because the satellite path depends on the event. - Check which site you can use:
If you are outside the US, WPT Global is the main online qualifier route; if you are in the US, ClubWPT is commonly the route for qualifying online. - Start with a low-cost satellite:
Many qualifier ladders begin with cheap feeders, sometimes from around $5, and those can lead into bigger satellites for full seats or packages. - Move up through the steps:
Some satellites give you a ticket to the next stage instead of cash, so you win Step 1, then use that ticket in Step 2 or a final qualifier. - Target the final WPT qualifier:
Final satellites can award a seat only, or a full package that may include the buy-in plus travel support or extras, depending on the promotion. - Also watch for WPT live satellites:
Many WPT partner casinos run live supersatellites before major events, which can be a good option if you prefer live poker over online qualification. - Register early once you win:
If you win a package, confirm the rules quickly, complete any account verification, and lock in travel and event registration as soon as possible.
Official WPT Satellites on WPT Global
- Various WPT Step Satellies
- $110 WPT Prime Passport Satellite with (at least) 1 x $1,500 WPT Prime Package Guaranteed
- $1,060 WPT Passport Satellite with (at least) 3 x $12,400 WPT Prime Packages Guaranteed
What You Can Win
| Prize Type | What's Included | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Step Ticket | Entry to next qualifier round (not cash) | $50–$500 value |
| Seat Only | Buy-in to WPT Main Event | $1,100–$10,400 |
| Full Package | Buy-in + $2K–$5K travel stipend + 5–7 nights hotel + WPT merch | $12K–$20K total |
Easy Example
A common route is: play a $5 feeder on WPT Global, win a ticket into a larger satellite, then win a final qualifier that awards a WPT seat or the $12.5k WPT package to the WPT Main Event Wynn Las Vegas. WPT has used this structure for World Championship qualification and other live events.
Practical Tips For WPT Qualifiers
- Focus on one event at a time, not every stop on the calendar.
- Check whether the satellite awards a seat, package, or ticket, because they are not the same thing.
- Read the terms before playing, especially around eligibility and location rules.
- If your goal is Vegas, watch for World Championship promotions on the official WPT channels and partner sites.
First-Time WPT Guide for New Live Poker Players
Playing your first WPT event can feel like a big step up from local cash games or smaller tournaments, but the experience is more organized and welcoming than many new players expect.
Expect professional tournament rooms, deep structures with long levels, and a mix of first-time qualifiers alongside seasoned pros and regulars. Tournament days often run 8–12 hours with structured breaks, so pace yourself for multi-day grinds.
What to Expect at a WPT Festival
- WPT stops run at upscale casinos and resorts, creating a high-energy poker environment.
- Large, dedicated tournament space in ballrooms or conference halls.
- Multiple side events running simultaneously alongside the main event.
- Feature tables with TV production, cameras, and hole-card cams for livestreams.
- Side events from morning until late night; main events start afternoons.
- Deep stacks (30K-100K) and slow levels (30–60min) for skill-based play.
- Strict floor enforcement on rules, etiquette, and device use.
- Mixed fields: qualifiers, online winners, pros, and recreational players.
- On-site amenities like food stations, rail seating, and merchandise areas.
- The biggest adjustment for newcomers is the marathon day lengths and pro-level atmosphere, but the staff keeps everything running smoothly.
How WPT Registration Works
Registration is straightforward but requires a few steps:
- Pre-register online via WPT site or partner (Best option is WPT Global).
- Buy in at the cage during late reg (cash, wire, chips).
- Late reg typically 2-4 levels into Day 1.
- Need a WPT Player ID or app account for most events.
- Download the WPT Live App (iOS/Android) via App Store or Google Play and complete your Player Release Form before arriving. WPT Live App is mandatory and skips registration lines.
- Create profile, sign digitally (2 minutes total).
- Bring confirmation QR/email to the desk.
- Methods: cash, casino chips, bank transfer, or approved cards/crypto (venue-specific).
Always check event page for exact rules. Some events require PSLive-style accounts or have buy-in windows.
What to Bring to a WPT Stop
Pack light but smart because long days mean comfort matters.
Must-haves:
- Government-issued photo ID (passport for international).
- Registration QR code, receipt, or app confirmation.
- Payment/proof if buying in on-site.
- WPT Live App installed with signed release form.
- Layers (hoodie/jacket) if rooms get cold.
- Wired headphones (if allowed for breaks).
- Phone charger/power bank.
- Permitted snacks, water bottle, meds.
- Cash for rebuys/add-ons if offered.
Pro tip: Double-check name matches on ID/app/registration. Plan for no phones at table (stricter than locals). Arrive early for player services and start enjoying your WPT experience.
History of the WPT
Founding and Vision
After some initial forays into televised poker in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s, attorney and television producer Steven Lipscomb believed the game could be elevated even more. Along with poker player and businessman Lyle Berman, they launched the WPT in 2002.
They envisioned poker fans at home being taken on a tour of some of the biggest tournaments from exotic casinos around the world. Viewers could not only see players gambling for huge sums of money, but also how they played their cards. The “hole card camera” gave those at home an inside look into the betting and bluffing action for the first time.
Breakthrough Success on Television
When the show debuted on the Travel Channel in 2003, the cameras featured the final table of the Bellagio Five Diamond Poker Classic with players putting up $10,000 to compete. That first event created a poker superstar with Danish poker pro Gus Hansen taking the title for $556,460.
Impact on Poker Popularity
Success was instant and the show became a hit with viewers, quickly becoming the highest-rated show on the Travel Channel. With online poker also becoming more popular, the poker boom began in earnest with poker fans across the country now heading to casinos to compete in tournaments.
Commentary and Production Quality
The WPT featured top-notch production with poker pro Mike Sexton and actor and poker player Vince Van Patten providing commentary for every episode. The show helped vault No Limit Texas Hold’em into the No. 1 position among poker variants with players bringing the action to their home games and playing even more online.
Early Poker Stars and Highlights
Hansen became the tour’s golden boy in that first season, seemingly playing any two cards and winning a second title. In February, he took down the $10,000 L.A. Poker Classic for $532,490. Howard Lederer also won two events during that first season.
Season 2 saw Hansen win yet again and several top payouts reach more than $1 million. In the coming years, the tour would help create some poker stars like Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Gordon, Erick Lindgren, Daniel Negreanu, Bertrand Grospellier, Jonathan Little, Anthony Zinno, Brian Altman, Darren Elias, and more.
WPT's Global Expansion and Milestone
The WPT now runs tournaments throughout the world and is seen in 150 countries. In 2017, the tour officially reached the billion-dollar mark in prize money paid out.
WPT Player of the Year
The tour has featured a Player of the Year race since the first season. The award has become quite a coveted title among regular players on the tour and includes some of the bigger names in poker.
The winner scores a $15,000 WPT Passport, which can be used to buy into tour events. The second-place finisher earns a $10,000 WPT Passport and third place rewards a $5,000 Passport. Here’s a look at all the grinders who have earned Player of the Year honours.
| Season | Years | Winner | Country | Total Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-2003 | Howard Lederer | USA | 2 |
| 2 | 2003-2004 | Erick Lindgren | USA | 2 |
| 3 | 2004-2005 | Daniel Negreanu | Canada | 2 |
| 4 | 2005-2006 | Gavin Smith | Canada | 1 |
| 5 | 2006-2007 | J.C. Tran | Vietnam | 1 |
| 6 | 2007-08 | Jonathan Little | USA | 1 |
| 7 | 2008-09 | Bertrand Grospellier | France | 1 |
| 8 | 2009-10 | Faraz Jaka | USA | 0 |
| 9 | 2010-11 | Andy Frankenberger | USA | 1 |
| 10 | 2011-12 | Joe Serock | USA | 0 |
| 11 | 2012-13 | Matthew Salsberg | Canada | 1 |
| 12 | 2013-14 | Mukul Pahuja | USA | 0 |
| 13 | 2014-15 | Anthony Zinno | USA | 2 |
| 14 | 2015-16 | Mike Shariati | USA | 1 |
| 15 | 2016-17 | Benjamin Zamani | USA | 0 |
| 16 | 2017-18 | Art Papazyan | USA | 2 |
| 17 | 2018-19 | Erkut Yilmaz | USA | 2 |
| 18 | 2019-21 | Brian Altman | USA | 1 |
| 19 | 2021 | Jake Ferro | USA | 1 |
| 20 | 2022 | Chad Eveslage | USA | 1 |
| 21 | 2023 | Bin Weng | USA | 1 |
| 22 | 2024 | Yunkyu Song | South Korea | 1 |
WPT Champions Cup & Champions Club
The tour has seen major growth in recent years, with some of the biggest names in the game being added to the tour’s Mike Sexton Champions Cup.
The Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup is the official tour trophy and can be seen on display at each event. The trophy was named after the longtime tour commentator, who passed away in 2020 and is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. Known as the “ambassador of poker,” Sexton embodied the tour and was also a key figure in the early days of online poker as a co-founder of PartyPoker.
All winners see their names engraved on the cup, similar to the Stanley Cup in hockey. Each winner is also awarded a miniature version of the trophy. The group of players who have won a title are often referred to as members of the WPT Champions Club.
World Poker Tour FAQs
What is the WPT?
The WPT is short for the World Poker Tour, which is one of the biggest, longest running and most prestigious live poker tours in the world, holding events in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
What is the WPT World Championship?
The WPT World Championship is held every December at Wynn Las Vegas and features the WPT World Championship with a $10,400 buy-in, In 2023 the WPT World Championship had a $40m guaranteed prize pool and attracted 3,814 entries, producing an overlay of $2.4m.
What is WPT Prime?
WPT Prime is the mid-stakes tour operated by the World Poker Tour. The main event of WPT Prime Championships costs $1,1000 to enter.
What is the Mike Sexton Cup?
The Mike Sexton Cup is the special cup upon which the names of all WPT Championship winners are engraved. It is named after Mike Sexton, the late ambassador and commentator for the tour, who was also a WPT Champion.