WSOP Circuit Returns to Planet Hollywood After Six-Year Hiatus
The World Series of Poker Circuit is back at Planet Hollywood with a $500K guarantee Main Event. The newly renovated poker room is ready to print gold rings.
By Vegas Vic
Planet Hollywood is back in the WSOP Circuit game, and they're not messing around.
After a six-year absence, the venue unveiled its newly renovated poker room just in time to host one of the first Circuit stops of 2026. There's a $500,000 guaranteed Main Event on deck and a Mini Main with a $250K guarantee.
Ring season is officially here.
The Quick Hit
- Where: Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas Strip
- When: January 1-12, 2026
- Main Event: $500,000 guarantee, Day One flights Jan 8-10
- Mini Main: $250,000 guarantee, $400 buy-in, Jan 1-3
- Gold ring winner perk: $5,000 WSOP package for Europe or Paradise
Why It Matters
The WSOP Circuit is the proving ground for poker players chasing gold without having to wait for summer. These rings count. These results matter.
Planet Hollywood returning to the schedule adds a prime Strip location to a tour that's been expanding globally. The renovated poker room signals the venue is serious about becoming a regular stop.
The New 2026 Format
The 2026 WSOP Circuit season represents a major change: the tour is shifting to a permanent calendar-year format running January through December.
WSOP CEO Ty Stewart explained: "The WSOP Circuit is the lifeblood of our brand... Shifting to a calendar-year season for 2026 marks a new era of predictability for our players, allowing them to better plan their pursuit of the coveted gold rings."
That means ring chasing is now a year-round endeavor with a clear start and end point. No more confusion about which season counts for what.
January's Global Schedule
Planet Hollywood isn't the only action. The January Circuit slate includes:
- Jan 1-13: King's Resort, Rozvadov, Czechia
- Jan 7-19: Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant, OK
- Jan 7-19: Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary, Canada
- Jan 15-26: Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Lincoln, CA
- Jan 16-25: Es Saadi Gardens & Resort, Marrakech, Morocco
- Jan 22-Feb 2: Horseshoe Casino Tunica, MS
The WSOP Circuit has gone international in a big way. You can chase rings on four continents now.
The Ring Winner Bonus
Here's the new perk: every gold ring winner in 2026 earns a $5,000 WSOP package valid for either WSOP Europe or WSOP Paradise.
That package covers accommodations AND tournament buy-in. Win a ring, get a free shot at European or Caribbean gold.
It's a nice value-add that makes grinding Circuit events even more appealing.
2025 Records for Context
The flagship WSOP in Las Vegas just had a monster year:
- 246,960 entrants across all events
- More than $481 million in prize money
- Both figures: all-time records
The Circuit feeds that main series. Players who break through here often show up at the summer series with momentum and bankrolls.
The Main Event Details
Planet Hollywood Main Event
- Buy-in: TBD (likely $1,700)
- Guarantee: $500,000
- Day One flights: January 8, 9, 10
- Final day: January 12
Mini Main Event
- Buy-in: $400
- Guarantee: $250,000
- Day One flights: January 1-3
- Final day: January 4
The Mini Main is already underway. The Main Event kicks off Wednesday.
The Bottom Line
Planet Hollywood is back. The WSOP Circuit has a new format. And January is suddenly one of the best times to chase poker glory in Vegas.
Whether you're grinding the Mini Main or waiting for the big show, there's action on the Strip right now. The renovated poker room is ready. The guarantees are juicy.
Go get that ring.