While you're nursing your New Year's hangover, the grinders are already shuffling up and dealing. The 2026 WSOP Circuit explodes into action today at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, kicking off an ambitious new year-round format that'll keep the felt burning from January through December.

The Quick Hit

• What's happening: WSOP Circuit 2026 begins today at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas
• The format: New year-round structure replaces the old season that paused around summer
• The scope: 24 stops in the first five months alone—18 domestic, 6 international
• The prize: Every gold ring winner earns a $5,000 WSOP package for Europe or Paradise

New Year, New Format

The WSOP Circuit is going full send in 2026. Instead of the old format that took a break during summer WSOP season, the Circuit will now run year-round. That means more opportunities to chase gold rings, more chances to satellite into bigger events, and more poker content for degenerates who can't get enough.

The first stop at Planet Hollywood sets the tone. From there, the Circuit spreads across the country and around the world, with stops at King's Resort in Rozvadov, Deerfoot Inn in Calgary, Es Saadi Casino in Marrakesh, Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma, and Horseshoe Tunica among many others.

The International Expansion

King's Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic runs January 1-13, overlapping with the Vegas kickoff. If you're already in Europe from holiday travel, that's your play. Canada gets two stops: Calgary in January and Playground in Quebec come March.

Morocco's Es Saadi Casino hosts a stop from January 16-25, which sounds like a hell of a poker trip if you can swing it. The WSOP is clearly pushing to make the Circuit a true global product.

Why This Matters for Grinders

Every single gold ring winner in 2026 earns a $5,000 package valid for either WSOP Europe or WSOP Paradise. That's real value for Circuit regulars who might not otherwise travel for the international series.

The summer WSOP in Las Vegas runs May 26 to July 15 at Horseshoe and Paris, with the traditional $10,000 Main Event in freezeout format. The Circuit events are now designed to feed directly into that flagship series.

The 2026 WSOP Main Event

Speaking of the Main Event, officials have confirmed the 2026 edition will be a traditional freezeout—no reentries. That's good news for the "one bullet" purists who think reentry tournaments dilute the prestige.

The series runs seven weeks, which is typical for the summer grind. Expect the usual mix of bracelet events at all buy-in levels, plus satellites and side games that never stop.

Getting in on the Action

If you're in Vegas today and looking to kick off 2026 the right way, Planet Hollywood's poker room is the spot. The Circuit events offer buy-ins at various levels, so you don't need a massive bankroll to take a shot.

For those following from home, the Circuit results will be worth tracking. The players who crush Circuit events often show up deep in summer bracelet events, so you're getting an early look at who's running hot.

The Bottom Line

The poker economy in 2026 looks healthy. The WPT wrapped up a strong December, the WSOP Circuit is expanding, and the summer series promises to be another record-breaker. If you've got the bankroll and the time, there's never been more live poker available. Shuffle up and deal, degenerates. The 2026 grind starts now.