PokerGO and PokerStars Announce Return of National Heads-Up Poker Championship
PokerGO and PokerStars jointly announced that the highly anticipated National Heads-Up Poker Championship will return in 2026. The event features a heads-up knockout format with a total prize pool of $1 million, and the champion will receive $250,000 and a gold belt. The tournament will be held in March 2026 at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas and will be live-streamed on PokerGO.
PokerGO® and PokerStars® today jointly announced that the National Heads-Up Poker Championship will officially return in 2026. The event was held annually from 2005 to 2013 and attracted many top players. After more than a decade away, it is now making its comeback to the poker stage.
Event Details
- Date: March 2026
- Location: PokerGO Studio, Las Vegas
- Number of Players: 64
- Format: Heads-up knockout bracket, each match best-of-three
- Total Prize Pool: $1,000,000
- Champion's Prize: $250,000 and a championship belt
Qualification
Players will qualify through the following methods:
- PokerStars Invitations: Selected top online players and poker celebrities
- Open Qualifiers: Online satellites hosted on the PokerStars platform, winners earn a seat
- Wild Card Spots: Direct invitations from the organizers
Broadcast and Coverage
All matches will be streamed exclusively on PokerGO, featuring multi-camera coverage, player-perspective content, and more. PokerStars will also share highlight recaps through its social media channels.
Historical Background
The National Heads-Up Poker Championship was originally produced by NBC Sports and ran for nine editions from 2005 to 2013. The event used a heads-up format with matches between two players until a champion was crowned. Past champions include notable players such as Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke, and Huck Seed.
Looking Ahead
The President of PokerGO stated, "We are thrilled to partner with PokerStars to bring this classic event back to the poker community. Heads-up poker tests a player's ability to read opponents, engage in psychological warfare, and adjust strategies on the fly – it's one of the most exciting forms of poker." The Tournament Director of PokerStars added, "We look forward to giving more players a chance to compete through online satellites, allowing grassroots competitors to go head-to-head with the best in the world."
Registration and Qualifiers
PokerStars online satellites will begin in late 2025. The full schedule and registration details will be announced on the PokerStars website. In addition, PokerGO will launch a dedicated event page featuring tournament information and player profiles.
FAQ
- The tournament uses a 64-player single-elimination bracket, with each round being a best-of-three match. The champion wins $250,000 and a gold belt.