WSOP Conclusion Reshapes Player of the Year Races: Alex Foxen Leads Both Leaderboards
The 2026 World Series of Poker has drastically altered the Player of the Year races. Alex Foxen surges to first in both CardPlayer and GPI POY standings, while Eelis Parssinen and Daniel Rezaei make big moves. Kristen Foxen becomes the first woman in the top ten since 2013.
The conclusion of the 2026 World Series of Poker has dramatically reshuffled the Player of the Year races across both major rankings. A wave of new contenders, with a few familiar faces, have staked their claims for the year-long honors. The race is now wide open heading into the second half of the season, culminating in the WPT World Championship and WSOP Paradise in December.
CardPlayer Magazine Player of the Year
Alex Foxen, winner of the CardPlayer POY in 2018 and 2019, has returned to the top of the standings after a strong WSOP. Entering the series in seventh place, Foxen tallied 13 cashes, five final tables, a bracelet win, and a deep Main Event run, amassing 7,109 points to seize the lead.
Brandon Wilson, who led the race before the WSOP, had a relatively quiet series with only two point-earning cashes despite six overall. He remains in second with 6,835 points.
Eelis Parssinen, one of the two bracelet winners at the 2026 WSOP, vaulted from outside the top ten to third place. His two victories contributed over 3,700 points, bringing his total to 6,081 points across 22 cashes in 2026.
Here is the updated CardPlayer POY top ten:
- Alex Foxen (Cold Spring Harbor, NY) – 7,109 points
- Brandon Wilson (Chicago, IL) – 6,835
- Eelis Parssinen (Finland) – 6,081
- Danny Tang (Hong Kong) – 5,796
- Jesse Lonis (Little Falls, NY) – 5,689
- Daniel Rezaei (Leibnitz, Austria) – 5,579
- Nick Schulman (Manhattan, NY) – 5,281
- Punnat Punsri (Bangkok, Thailand) – 5,054
- Kristen Foxen (St. Catharines, Canada) – 5,017
- Aleksejs Ponakovs (Riga, Latvia) – 4,928
Notably, Kristen Foxen’s victory in Event #19 ($25,000 Eight-Handed No Limit Hold’em) earned her over $1.7 million and pushed her into the top ten. She is the first female player to finish in the top ten since 2013, when Vanessa Selbst placed third.
Global Poker Index Player of the Year
Alex Foxen also leads the GPI POY race after moving from fifth place pre-WSOP to first with 4,471.13 points. His deep Main Event run did not even count toward his 13-tournament resume, showcasing his consistency.
Daniel Rezaei climbed into second place with 4,339.42 points, having not been in the top ten before the series. Defending GPI POY champion Punnat Punsri sits third with 4,314.11 points, posing a significant threat.
The GPI POY top ten after the 2026 WSOP:
- Alex Foxen (Cold Spring Harbor, NY) – 4,471.13 points
- Daniel Rezaei (Leibnitz, Austria) – 4,339.42
- Punnat Punsri (Bangkok, Thailand) – 4,314.11
- Tony “Ren” Lin – 4,278.21
- Artur Martirosian – 4,201.21
- Jesse Lonis – 4,183.67
- Brandon Wilson – 4,158.97
- Quan Zhou – 4,084.88
- Eelis Parssinen – 4,034.93
- Aleksejs Ponakovs – 3,956.3
Looking Ahead
With the WSOP in the rearview mirror, contenders must perform in major events like the WPT and EPT stops to maintain or improve their positions. The WPT World Championship in Las Vegas and WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas, both in December, will serve as the final battlegrounds. Success there can propel a player to the Player of the Year title.
FAQ
- Alex Foxen leads the CardPlayer POY with 7,109 points, followed by Brandon Wilson and Eelis Parssinen.