The 2026 World Series of Poker schedule has landed, and while the return of a delayed Main Event final table has dominated discussion, that headline tweak affects only nine players.
Yes, the throwback to the “November Nine” era — albeit with a shorter delay — is a seismic branding move. But for the vast majority grinding bracelets this summer, other, quieter schedule adjustments may prove far more significant.
Here’s a closer look at what’s new — and what it could mean for the fields.
Mini Mystery Millions: Smaller Buy-In, Massive Potential
The Mini Mystery Millions gets a major price drop, sliding from $1,000 to $550 while keeping its eye-popping $1 million top bounty.
Last year’s edition attracted nearly 20,000 runners, with Michael Wilklow walking away with $1 million for the win — not including bounty drama along the way. With the buy-in now almost halved, participation could explode even further.
Positioned as the series opener, the event will likely combine huge numbers with peak early-series energy. That’s great news for prize pools — and perhaps a serious test for new dealers facing packed rooms from Day 1.
For players, the equation is simple: lower risk, same seven-figure upside.
Monster Stack: Bigger Fields, More Bullets
The $1,500 Monster Stack has long been a favorite among recreational players thanks to its deep structure and enormous fields. This year, however, structural tweaks may subtly shift the balance.
Each of the four starting flights now allows a single re-entry, and late registration extends into Day 2. That opens the door to scenarios where a player can min-cash, bust, and then fire again in another flight.
The likely result? A larger overall prize pool — but also more flexibility for well-funded pros willing to take early risks.
While some see this as a boost to competitiveness, others argue it dilutes the freezeout spirit that made the Monster Stack appealing to casual players. Expect sharper early-stage aggression and possibly tougher late-stage fields.
Other events seeing expanded re-entry or starting-flight options include:
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$1K Mystery Millions (additional flight added)
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$1,500 Big O (two re-entries per flight)
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$25K NLH High Roller (two Day 1s)
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$1K Mini Main Event (three flights)
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$3K Mid-Stakes Championship (three flights)
More chances to play almost always means bigger prize pools — but it also tends to reward deeper bankrolls.
A Quiet Gap in High-Stakes Hold’em
One notable scheduling quirk: a roughly two-week stretch in June features no $10K+ No-Limit Hold’em bracelet events.
That’s unusual — and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Five-time bracelet winner Adrian Mateos pointed out the gap, highlighting that high-stakes NLH specialists may find fewer premium buy-in options during that window.
In response, new WSOP ambassador Jeff Platt suggested that portion of the schedule leans more heavily toward Pot-Limit Omaha — and that checks out.
New and expanded PLO offerings include:
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A new 5-card PLO event
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“Pick Your Own PLO” (dealer’s choice among PLO variants)
With fewer big NLH buy-ins late in June, some hold’em crushers may be tempted to cross over into the four-card arena.
Heads-Up Championship Shake-Up
The prestigious Heads-Up Championship also sees a format change.
This year, the capped field will be divided across two starting flights, allowing eliminated players from Flight 1 to re-enter in Flight 2.
That’s a controversial move.
Critics argue that re-entry undermines the knockout purity that defines heads-up poker. Additionally, Flight 2 participants will know who advanced from Flight 1 — information that could influence registration decisions.
The competitive implications remain to be seen, but it’s certainly a philosophical shift.
Farewell to Familiar Events
Not every event made the cut for 2026. Among those absent:
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$1,500 Shootout
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$3K Limit Hold’em
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$777 Lucky 7s
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$1,979 Hall of Fame Bounty
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$1K Battle of the Ages
The removal of the Shootout may sting most for sit-and-go specialists, who thrived in its “win your table to advance” format.
WSOP Circuit Gets a Boost
The World Series of Poker Circuit receives increased visibility this summer.
The WSOP Las Vegas Circuit stop begins July 14, effectively extending the WSOP footprint in town. That timing could help bridge momentum toward the delayed Main Event finale.
A new $1,700 US Circuit Championship has also been added to the bracelet schedule in early June. Open to all, it’s positioned during one of the busiest weeks of the series and could draw a substantial field.
So What Does It All Mean?
While the delayed Main Event finale will capture headlines, most players will feel the impact of:
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Expanded re-entry opportunities
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A heavier PLO presence
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A mid-series lull in high-stakes NLH
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Stronger integration with the Circuit
For recreational players, lower buy-ins and larger guarantees create enticing opportunities. For professionals, added flexibility and structural tweaks may reward deeper bankrolls and aggressive scheduling.
Whether you’re chasing bracelets in Paris or following from home via daily streams, the 2026 WSOP appears to blend nostalgia with evolution.
