WSOP 2026 Main Event Kicks Off This Thursday, ESPN to Provide Full Coverage - Full Schedule Released
The 2026 World Series of Poker WSOP Main Event kicks off this Thursday in Las Vegas, with ESPN providing full television and streaming coverage. The 10-day tournament will award the champion a gold bracelet, symbolizing poker's highest honor, along with millions in prize money. This article covers schedule highlights, entry requirements, and how to watch.
Event Overview
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is the most prestigious annual event in global poker. The 2026 Main Event kicks off this Thursday at Horseshoe Las Vegas, with ESPN serving as the exclusive broadcast partner for the tenth consecutive year, delivering complete coverage from the first day to the final table.
Schedule
The Main Event features four starting days. Players can choose to enter on Day 1A through Day 1D based on their schedule, with each day starting at noon local time. Qualifying players continue in subsequent rounds like Day 2 and Day 3, culminating in a nine-player final table on the ninth day and a champion crowned on the tenth day.
- Day 1A: Thursday
- Day 1B: Friday
- Day 1C: Saturday
- Day 1D: Sunday
- Day 2–7: Monday to Saturday (elimination rounds)
- Final Table: Sunday (tenth day)
Entry Information
The Main Event buy-in is $10,000. Players compete using chips in No-Limit Texas Hold'em format. Starting chips are typically 60,000, with blind levels increasing every two hours to allow for deep-stacked strategy. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 participants from around the world, with a total prize pool likely exceeding $100 million.
Broadcast & Viewing
ESPN's main channel will provide full live coverage on the final day, while ESPN+ streaming platform offers daily multi-table coverage and select hand replays starting from Day 1. The commentary team includes renowned poker commentators Lon McEachern and Norman Chad (unless changes occur).
History & Highlights
Since its inception in 1970, the WSOP Main Event has produced legendary champions such as Johnny Moss, Stu Ungar, and Phil Hellmuth. In 2026, top emerging talents—like online "number one" players and European strategy groups—will clash head-to-head, while amateur players also have the chance to secure seats through online satellites, turning the dream of "from zero to champion" into reality.
Example: Typical satellite buy-ins start as low as $1, with winners earning a Main Event entry.
Practical Tips
- Registration: It is recommended to register and pay the buy-in early on the WSOP website to avoid queues at the venue.
- Attire: The venue requires business casual dress; hats or sunglasses are not allowed (unless for medical reasons).
- Strategy: The Main Event has a slow structure. Play tight early to protect your stack, then use ICM pressure to steal blinds in later stages.
Closing
The 2026 WSOP Main Event is about to begin. Whether you are at the venue or watching from a screen, this poker spectacle is not to be missed. Follow ESPN's daily broadcasts and witness the crowning of a new champion.