The 57th annual World Series of Poker officially begins on May 26, 2026 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, and organizers are starting the summer with a bold experiment: the brand-new $550 Mini Mystery Millions. At half the buy-in of last year's $1,100 Mystery Millions—which drew a staggering 19,654 entrants—the opener could rewrite the record book for largest live tournament attendance ever recorded.
Quick answer: The 2026 WSOP runs May 26 through July 15 with 100 bracelet events, headlined by the Mini Mystery Millions opener on Day 1, the $10,000 Main Event starting July 2, and a three-week-delayed final table on August 3–5. Free daily live streams begin May 29 on the official WSOP YouTube channel.
Why the Mini Mystery Millions Is Built for a Record
Mystery bounty tournaments combine the gambling rush of unknown prizes with the strategic depth of a multi-table tournament. Players who eliminate opponents after the bounty window opens draw a sealed envelope, with payouts ranging from the minimum bounty to game-changing six-figure scores. By cutting the buy-in to $550, WSOP organizers are lowering the barrier for casual players, satellite winners, and weekend warriors who balked at the $1,100 price point last year.
If even half the 2025 field returns and another wave of recreational players joins at the new price, the Mini Mystery Millions could push past 25,000 entries—territory previously reserved for online events.
2026 WSOP Schedule Highlights
The 100-event slate features something for every player, from $400 daily turbos to seven-figure high rollers. Key dates include:
- May 26: $550 Mini Mystery Millions kicks off the series
- May 29: Daily WSOP live streams begin on YouTube
- June (various): $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller, a brand-new bracelet event
- June (various): $1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship
- July 2: $10,000 Main Event Day 1A
- July 7: Late registration closes after Day 2D of the Main Event
- August 3–5: Main Event final table (after the three-week delay)
The GGMillion$ High Roller and Circuit Championship
Two of the most-discussed new events on the 2026 calendar are the $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller, designed to attract elite online and live pros who have made the GGPoker brand a household name, and the $1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship, an end-of-season showdown for players who grinded the WSOP Circuit's revamped calendar-year format.
For mid-stakes tournament players, the Circuit Championship represents a real opportunity—a $1,700 buy-in event with bracelet equity is a sweet spot between bankroll preservation and life-changing upside. Players preparing for these events should sharpen their ICM strategy and review pay-jump scenarios carefully.
Main Event Format: A Three-Week Pause Before the Final Table
The structural innovation of recent WSOP Main Events—pausing before the final nine convene under the lights—returns in 2026. Day 1 starts July 2, with four starting flights running through July 5. Late registration remains open through Day 2D on July 7, giving working players and busted high rollers extra time to fire bullets.
The November Nine concept of yesteryear has been compressed: in 2026, the final table plays out across August 3, 4, and 5, just under one month after the bubble bursts. The delay gives the broadcast team time to build storylines, players time to prepare, and sponsors time to ink endorsement deals.
Broadcast and Streaming Coverage
For the first time, WSOP is going all-in on its YouTube channel. Daily live streams will begin May 29, three days into the series, and will run throughout the summer with full hole-card commentary. ESPN coverage of the Main Event final table will air in August, but the bulk of the series can now be followed for free, hand by hand, on YouTube.
Recreational players preparing for their first WSOP trip can complement their preparation with poker training videos and review the basics of bankroll management before committing to multiple buy-ins.
What This Means for Recreational Players
The 2026 schedule's center of gravity is clearly on accessibility. Between the $550 Mini Mystery Millions, daily $400 events, and a wider satellite ecosystem feeding bigger tournaments, a player with a $1,500–$3,000 trip bankroll has more genuine bracelet equity than ever.
That said, the field strength has also risen. Recreational players should expect to encounter more solver-trained regulars than in past summers, and pre-trip study—particularly around range construction and short-stack play—is worth the time investment.
Preparing Your Game for Las Vegas
The summer grind is brutal, and the players who post deep results are not necessarily the most talented—they're the ones who manage variance, sleep, hydration, and tilt. Build a daily routine, set a stop-loss in buy-ins (not dollars), and decide in advance how many bullets you'll fire in marquee events.
If you're new to live tournament play, the beginner poker guide covers the fundamentals you'll need before stepping onto the WSOP felt.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 WSOP start and end?
The 2026 WSOP runs from Tuesday, May 26 through Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with the Main Event final table playing out August 3–5. The series takes place at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
How many bracelet events are scheduled in 2026?
The 2026 WSOP features 100 bracelet events across a broad range of buy-ins, from $400 dailies to the $250,000 Super High Roller. The schedule includes mystery bounties, mixed games, no-limit hold'em, Omaha variants, and a new $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller event.
How much does it cost to enter the Mini Mystery Millions?
The Mini Mystery Millions has a $550 buy-in, half the price of the 2025 Mystery Millions. The event uses mystery bounty mechanics, with sealed envelopes for each elimination once the bounty stage begins.
Where can I watch the 2026 WSOP for free?
Daily live streams begin May 29 on the official WSOP YouTube channel, with full hole-card coverage. ESPN will broadcast the Main Event final table in August. Most events from the series, including high-roller features, will be available on YouTube at no cost.
Is there late registration for the Main Event?
Yes. The 2026 WSOP Main Event allows late registration through Day 2D on July 7, giving players up to five days from the start of Day 1A to enter or re-enter the tournament.
Bottom Line
The 2026 WSOP is built for scale. With a $550 opener priced for the masses, 100 bracelet events, a Main Event running deep into the summer, and free daily streaming, the series is positioned to attract its biggest, most diverse field ever. Whether you're flying to Vegas with two buy-ins in your pocket or settling in for a full summer grind, the schedule rewards preparation. Start your study plan now—then meet us at the felt. Browse best online poker sites to put in volume before the summer rush, and dig into our poker training videos to sharpen your game.
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