Are you a poker fan? If so, mark your calendars.
ESPN and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) have announced a new multi-year deal to bring the WSOP Main Event back to ESPN platforms. This is the first time since 2020 that this major event will be aired on ESPN, and fans couldn’t be more thrilled.
It's all part of a huge WSOP schedule that includes Caesars Entertainment welcoming back the World Series of Poker to Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip.
Following last year’s record-breaking success, with GGPoker ambassador Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi capturing the Main Event title, the 2026 series holds high expectations.
The 2025 WSOP also saw Leonore “Leo” Margets become the first woman to make the final table in 30 years.
Brief History of ESPN and the World Series of Poker
ESPN and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) have a long and storied partnership that stretches nearly 40 years. This relationship played a key role in turning poker into a popular spectator sport, especially during the "poker boom" of the mid-2000s.
Early Days (1987–1998)
ESPN first aired the WSOP Main Event in 1987 with modest, documentary-style highlights. These broadcasts, often shown months after the event, helped poker reach a larger audience. Although CBS had aired some WSOP coverage earlier, ESPN became the leading broadcaster. Through the late '80s and '90s, ESPN's tape-delayed coverage established the WSOP as a staple of sports programming.
ESPN took a break from WSOP coverage after 1998, with the Discovery Channel stepping in until 2001. ESPN returned as the primary broadcaster in 2002.
The Poker Boom (2003–2010s)
The partnership hit new heights with the 2003 Main Event, when Chris Moneymaker, an amateur player, took home the title. ESPN's repeated broadcasts of the event, complete with hole-card cameras and engaging commentary, played a major role in sparking a global poker boom. Millions of new players were drawn to the game, inspired by Moneymaker's underdog win.
During this period, coverage expanded to show more hands and introduce innovations like the "November Nine" in 2008. This format delayed the Main Event final table until November, allowing time to build hype and focus on storytelling.
Consistent Coverage (2010s–2020)
ESPN consistently aired WSOP events throughout the 2010s, often providing 30+ hours of Main Event broadcasts and, in some cases, other bracelet events. In 2020, despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, ESPN continued to air the WSOP.
Shift to CBS (2021–2025)
In April 2021, the WSOP moved its broadcasts to CBS Sports Network, ending its long run on ESPN.
The new deal offered more total hours of coverage on a smaller channel, while live streaming shifted to PokerGO. Business decisions drove this change, with ESPN reportedly wanting to cut back on poker programming. Even though it ended, ESPN's coverage is credited with helping poker become a mainstream sports phenomenon.
What to Look Forward To
But now the WSOP is back on ESPN. Here's what you can expect:
Start Date: Coverage kicks off on July 2, 2026, with Day 1A of the Main Event. The tournament has several starting flights and is scheduled to conclude on July 13, before taking a short break.
Coverage Volume: Fans will enjoy more than 100 hours of original programming across all ESPN platforms, including the ESPN App. Each day promises at least six hours of coverage, ensuring you don't miss any action.
Early Rounds: Early-round coverage will feature three tables happening at the same time. This means you'll get to watch more hands and see top players in action.
Final Table Drama: The final table is set to be an exciting, three-night event from August 3-5, 2026.
It will air on ESPN during prime-time slots. ESPN plans to keep viewers engaged with special episodes that introduce and build up the final nine players.
Why This Matters
According to WSOP CEO Ty Stewart, this partnership is like a homecoming for poker.
He believes that ESPN's involvement will surely spark interest in a new generation of poker fans. The broadcasts aim to showcase not just the game but also the human drama and stories behind it.
ESPN and WSOP are promising to enhance the viewing experience with high-quality production. They've even hinted at working with big names like Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions to give the show a polished, TV-style presentation.
There are also big changes planned for the WSOP Circuit in 2026.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 WSOP
The entirety of the 2026 World Series of Poker will run from May 26 to July 15 at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. There will be around 100 bracelet events, but the Main Event will steal the spotlight.
The idea behind the delayed final table and the multi-night live broadcast is to maximize excitement and viewership. With this approach, poker experts expect the 2026 WSOP to be one of the most-watched poker events ever.
If you love poker, this is big news.
The world’s most prestigious poker tournament is returning to a top sports network with top-notch production quality. You can bet on that.
