Key Moments:
- WSOPE 2026 is scheduled for March 31 to April 12, marking its Prague debut at the Hilton Prague Hotel.
- The 2025 series in Rozvadov featured 15 bracelet events and a €20 million guaranteed prize pool, concluding with 659 main event entries.
- Ownership of WSOP transitioned in October 2024 when Caesars sold the brand to NSUS Group, parent of GGPoker, for $500 million.
WSOPE to Make First Appearance in Prague
The World Series of Poker Europe is set to relocate to Prague in 2026, introducing a spring schedule for its prestigious tournament series. This move will see WSOPE staged from March 31 through April 12 at the Hilton Prague Hotel. Organizers have indicated that holding the event in spring is intended to avoid overlapping with other major poker festivals and to provide players with increased flexibility when planning their trips.
King’s Casino Prague will partner with WSOPE for this edition, continuing a collaborative relationship that previously started in Rozvadov. The venue is a familiar site for international poker, having hosted events such as the PokerStars EPT Prague.
Strategic Shifts and Event Calendar Updates
While PokerStars has yet to confirm an EPT Prague stop for 2026, the festival remains listed on the PokerStars website for December 2025. For the following year, only the spring edition of EPT Paris is currently listed, set to take place from February 18 to March 1, 2026. Further updates on event dates are expected from PokerStars toward the end of the year.
WSOP CEO Ty Stewart described the change as a significant development for the series. “We have big ambitions to make this festival one of the best in the world,” he said, noting Prague’s appeal as a host city.
Legacy and 2025 Highlights
Since its inception in 2007, the WSOPE has been staged in several notable European cities, but 2026 will mark its first appearance in Prague. Previous host locations include London, Cannes, Paris, Berlin, and Rozvadov, with the tournament crowning champions such as Annette Obrestad, John Juanda, Elio Fox, Phil Hellmuth, Adrian Mateos, Kevin McPhee, and Jack Sinclair.
The most recent series, WSOPE 2025, concluded last week at King’s Resort Casino in Rozvadov. Over its run from September 17 to October 8, it offered 15 gold bracelet events and a €20 million guaranteed prize pool. The main event attracted 659 entries for a total prize pool of €6.14 million. Daniel Pidun of Germany emerged victorious, capturing €1.14 million, while Austria’s Gerald Karlich finished second with €757,000.
| Year | Location | Main Event Entries | Main Event Prize Pool | Main Event Winner | First Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rozvadov | 659 | €6.14 million | Daniel Pidun | €1.14 million |
Looking Ahead to 2026
Organizers have confirmed that the 2026 WSOPE will once again offer 15 bracelet events. Details regarding the full event schedule and buy-ins will be released at a later date. Notably, next year’s event will feature the introduction of the WSOP+ app, which has been created to enhance the tournament’s digital engagement for both players and fans.
Qualifiers for the 2026 event will be available solely through GGPoker, with WSOP Express satellite tournaments currently open for registration.
Ownership Change Signals New Era
For the first time, WSOPE will be conducted under new ownership. In October 2024, Caesars Entertainment sold the WSOP brand to NSUS Group, parent company of GGPoker, for $500 million. The agreement will allow Caesars to host the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas for the next 20 years and to maintain the WSOP name for select poker rooms and Circuit tournaments. Caesars stated that the sale reflects its aim to concentrate on its primary gaming and hospitality business. GGPoker has set its sights on growing the WSOP brand across both live and online domains.
- Author
Daniel Williams
