The 57th Annual World Series of Poker officially kicks off today, May 26, 2026 — and if you’ve been waiting all year for poker’s biggest summer spectacle, the wait is finally over. This year’s series promises 100 gold bracelets, a completely overhauled coverage deal, and easier access than ever for fans and players across Asia and beyond.

100 Events, Something for Every Player

The 2026 WSOP runs from May 26 through July 15 at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas hotels. The schedule features exactly 100 bracelet events with buy-ins ranging from $300 all the way up to $250,000 for the Super High Roller — meaning whether you’re a tournament grinder or a recreational player chasing a bracelet dream, there’s an entry point for you.

Day one kicks off with two events: Event #1: $550 Mini Mystery Millions, which comes with a massive $1 million guaranteed bounty prize, and Event #2: $5,000 Eight-Handed No-Limit Hold’em. Other highlights to circle on your calendar include the $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller on May 31 (co-branded with GGPoker), the iconic Millionaire Maker on June 17, the Poker Players Championship on June 21, and of course the $10,000 Main Event kicking off July 2. The series wraps on July 15 with a $1,000 Super Turbo finale.

The Big News: Coverage Goes Completely Free

If last year’s coverage left you frustrated, this is the update you’ve been waiting for. The WSOP has confirmed that all daily coverage will stream free on the official WSOP YouTube channel, starting May 29. No subscriptions, no paywalls — just live action from featured and final tables every single day of the series, plus a nightly recap show so you can catch up on the day’s biggest moments even if you miss the live streams.

The coverage overhaul is a direct response to criticism of last year’s setup, when large chunks of content were locked behind paid services. This time around, live Main Event coverage also returns to ESPN via the ESPN app starting July 2, with the final table airing on ESPN2 on August 3, 4, and 5. Legendary commentators Lon McEachern and Norman Chad return for a post-production show airing in the months after the series.

For players and fans in Asia, this is particularly significant. Accessing quality WSOP coverage previously required VPNs, paid subscriptions, or knowing the right streams. Free YouTube access removes that friction entirely — all you need is an internet connection.

The APAC Angle: GGPoker Sends 1,000+ Players to Vegas

Asian players won’t just be watching — they’ll be competing in force. GGPoker, which powers Natural8 — the leading online poker platform across Southeast and East Asia — is sending over 1,000 players to the WSOP Main Event this summer via its online satellite program. Qualifiers start from as little as $0.50, meaning players across South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, and the rest of the region have a genuine shot at sitting down in Las Vegas with a $10,000 Main Event seat.

Event #11, the $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller, is a direct co-branded collaboration between the WSOP and GGPoker — further evidence of how influential Asian-connected platforms have become in shaping the modern poker calendar. If you’re looking to qualify, head to Natural8 or GGPoker now; satellites are already running.

The Main Event begins July 2, and the final table runs August 3–5 on ESPN2. Free YouTube streams begin May 29. This summer is shaping up to be one of the most accessible and exciting WSOPs in years — don’t miss a moment.

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