- Overall WSOP 2025 attendance is up about 7% compared to last year
- Prize pools have increased between 3% and 5% year-over-year
- The WSOP+ app has made registration easier and improved player experience
- Unique player participation may be slightly down, despite overall entry growth
- High buy-in and freezeout events have seen flat or slightly declining numbers
- GGPoker satellite qualifiers remain steady with over 1,150 Main Event packages awarded
The WSOP 2025 Main Event begins on Wednesday, July 2, the crown jewel of the poker calendar. For many players, it’s a lifelong dream to compete in this $10,000 buy-in summer spectacle. Some save up for years, while others grind through qualifiers in hopes of winning a seat in what remains the most iconic event in all of poker.
As in previous years, the WSOP Main Event will feature four starting flights, running from July 2 to July 6. Players can also register during the early levels of Day 2. Each flight is a freezeout format, giving players just one shot — no re-entries.
This year’s WSOP has performed well so far in terms of entries. As previously reported, the majority of events are up compared to the same tournaments held in 2024. Whether it’s the $1,000 Mystery Millions, $1,500 Millionaire Maker, Colossus, the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, or even standard events like the $3,000 No Limit Hold’em and various draw games, most have seen year-over-year gains.
If you’re in the UK, Canada, South America, or most of Europe, this is the place to get in on WSOP action from the comfort of your own home.
- Online satellites to the 2025 WSOP Main Event starting at just $1.
- Official online bracelet series on GGPoker for international players.
- Sign up today to claim a $600 sign-up bonus and take advantage of every WSOP offer and promotion as soon as they run.
If you’re in Ontario, this is the place to get in on WSOP 2025 action from the comfort of your own home.
- Online satellites to the Main Event and other bracelet events leading up to the summer action.
- Official GGPoker Ontario online bracelet series coming back in 2025.
- Sign up today so you’re ready to take advantage of every WSOP offer and promotion as soon as they run.
If you’re in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey or Nevada, this is the place to get in on 2025 WSOP action from the comfort of your own home.
- Online satellites to the Main Event and other bracelet events readily available.
- Join official online bracelet series across WSOP’s US network.
- Sign up today to claim a $1000 sign-up bonus and take advantage of every WSOP offer and promotion as soon as they run.
Of course, not every event is up, but overall the trend is positive. Based on pokerfuse’s analysis, total entries are up by around 7%, while prize pools have grown between 3% and 5% when comparing the same events.
Several factors have contributed to this growth. There are more starting flights, more opportunities for re-entry, and fewer freezeouts this year. But a significant driver has been the introduction of the WSOP+ app, developed by NSUS, the parent company of GGPoker and now the new owner of the WSOP brand.
The app has streamlined registration, offered additional payment options, and removed the hassle of standing in long lines. This improved experience has likely helped boost overall participation. It also reflects a wider trend: live poker remains strong, as evidenced by growth in other non-WSOP events as well.
Now, the biggest question — one that comes up every year as the Main Event approaches — is how this year’s field will compare to past years. In both 2023 and 2024, the Main Event broke records. The 2023 edition saw 10,043 players, finally surpassing the 17-year record from 2006. Then, in 2024, that record was broken again, with a turnout of 10,112.
Can 2025 WSOP Main Event Set Yet Another Record?
So the question remains: can WSOP 2025 make it three record-breaking Main Events in a row?
Given how well the rest of the series has performed, it seems possible. But if it happens, it would be an extraordinary achievement and not a small one. It would mark the third consecutive all-time record for the biggest live poker tournament ever.
Still, there are a few variables to consider. One is the balance between unique players and re-entries. While exact data is unavailable, early signs suggest an increase in re-entries but a slight drop in unique player participation compared to 2024.
Another point to note is that turnout for higher buy-in events, particularly $10k and above, and especially $50k and above, as well as freezeout tournaments, appears flat or slightly down year-over-year. If that trend extends to the Main Event, we may see a small dip compared to last year.
But the Main Event is unlike any other. It is a bucket-list tournament. Many players plan their entire year around it, saving money or chasing qualifiers just to take a shot.
GGPoker, the exclusive satellite partner for WSOP, once again ran its Road to Vegas satellite campaign, (now in its fifth year) and awarded exactly 900 Main Event packages (868 via GGPoker dot-com and 32 through GGPoker Ontario). In addition, ClubGG, GGPoker’s subscription and sweepstakes platform, qualified 101 players, and there were 158 direct buy-ins through the GGPoker.com client. That brings the potential total to 1,159 entries via GGPoker channels, roughly on par with last year’s figure of 1,124.
GGPoker Main Event 2025 Package Winners Breakdown:
- Dot-com: 868
- Ontario: 32
- Direct Buy-ins: 158
- ClubGG: 101
- Total Package Winners: 1,159
So, in terms of qualifiers, this year is holding steady.
A third consecutive record-breaking Main Event would be a remarkable achievement and a major boost for the game. But even if it falls just short, another turnout above the 10,000 mark would still be a huge success, marking the third straight year above that milestone.
In just a few days, we’ll find out.
WSOP Main Event Top Ten Largest Prize Pools
| Year | Prize Pool | First-Place Prize | Entrants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $94,041,600 | $10,000,000 | 10,112 |
| 2023 | $93,399,900 | $12,100,000 | 10,043 |
| 2006 | $82,512,162 | $12,000,000 | 8773 |
| 2022 | $80,782,475 | $10,000,000 | 8663 |
| 2019 | $80,548,600 | $10,000,000 | 8569 |
| 2018 | $74,015,600 | $8,800,000 | 7874 |
| 2010 | $68,799,059 | $8,944,310 | 7319 |
| 2017 | $67,877,400 | $8,150,000 | 7221 |
| 2011 | $64,540,858 | $8,715,638 | 6865 |
| 2008 | $64,431,779 | $9,152,416 | 6844 |
