They may have arrived later than usual, but they are finally here.
US players at WSOP Online had been waiting for their shot at qualifying for the Main Event, and that opportunity has now landed. For the first time, players across the United States can compete for seats to the prestigious WSOP 2026 Main Event starting this Sunday.
And there won’t be just a single path available; there are two.
One satellite awards a seat to the 2026 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas this summer. The other, launching for the first time, gives players the chance to win a 2026 WSOP Europe package.
Each satellite carries a $215 buy-in and features $10,000 in guaranteed prize money. The Las Vegas qualifier begins at 16:30 PT, while the Europe-focused event gets underway an hour later at 17:30 ET.
The Las Vegas satellite guarantees at least one $10,000 Main Event seat. The WSOP Europe edition, meanwhile, guarantees a full package that includes a €6,250 WSOPE Main Event seat along with $3,750 in travel expenses.
- $215 WSOP $10,000 Main Event Satellite: 1 Seat Guaranteed, March 1 at 16:30 PT
- $215 WSOPE $10,000 Package Satellite: 1 Package Guaranteed, March 1 at 17:30 PT
- Up to $100 in free play with first deposit
- Top-quality software
- Compete for WSOP bracelets & rings
Both tournaments share the same structure. Players start with 5,000 chips (100 big blinds), and levels increase every 10 minutes. Late registration remains open for 130 minutes. Unlimited re-entries are permitted during that window, allowing players to fire multiple bullets if they choose. Lower buy-in feeders and sub-satellites are also expected to run in the lead-up to the main events.
Winners of either the seat or the Europe package will receive an email from WSOP outlining the steps required to claim their prize.
For US online poker players, this has been a long wait. Traditionally, online satellites for the Main Event begin appearing as early as January or February. In certain years, they have even gone live shortly after the previous summer’s champion was crowned in Las Vegas.
This year, however, the launch has come noticeably later than usual.
- Or get up to $100 worth of rewards
- Available in many regulated markets
- Great MTT schedule including WSOP events
Big Plans for WSOP 2026 Main Event
The 57th edition of the WSOP returns on May 26 and runs through July 15. The Main Event, poker’s ultimate dream event for many, begins on July 2 and once again features four starting flights. Late registration will remain open into Day 2, consistent with recent editions. While the overall structure remains largely the same as in previous years, both WSOP and GGPoker are planning several upgrades aimed at elevating the event’s global appeal.
There are plans to widen its international reach, including free daily live streams on YouTube leading up to the final table. In fact, the exact dates for the final table have not yet been confirmed. At one stage, there were whispers about a revival of the November Nine concept, though those rumors have since been dismissed. Even so, discussions about a delayed final table, potentially extending into late July or August, have not entirely disappeared.
Combined with a redesigned TV set and the prospect of free streaming, the 2026 Main Event appears set for a significant production boost.
Last year, the 2025 WSOP Main Event attracted 9,735 entries, ranking as the third-largest field in the tournament’s history.
WSOP Europe Main Event Satellites Also Available
Meanwhile, WSOP Europe arrives much earlier on the calendar, kicking off March 31 at its new venue in Prague and awarding the customary 15 bracelets. Officials from both WSOP and GGPoker have made it clear they intend to make this the biggest edition yet. The €5,300 Main Event comes with a €10 million guarantee, reflecting expectations of a sizeable turnout.
The Player of the Year race has also been revamped. It will now span all three bracelet festivals — WSOP Europe, WSOP Las Vegas, and WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas — creating added incentive for players to travel to Prague and compete early in the season.
GGPoker has already been running online qualifiers through its new pathway system, WSOP Express, and more than 100 players have won WSOP Europe packages so far.
Now, US players on WSOP Online have their own route into both Prague and Las Vegas. The first satellites begin March 1 and are expected to run every Sunday moving forward.
