PokerStars Confirms Full 2026 WCOOP Schedule With 121 Events This September

PokerStars has released the complete schedule for the 2026 World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), confirming 121 events spanning 350 total tournaments across High, Medium, and Low buy-in tiers. The 25th edition runs from September 6 to 30, 2026, and will open with the $5 million guaranteed Sunday Million 20th Anniversary Finals. PokerStars affirmed that 350 players will earn the title of 'World Champion' across a range of formats, from No Limit Hold'em to Mixed Games, continuing the site's annual tradition as a central fixture on the online poker calendar.

2026 WCOOP Structure: Events, Tiers, and Buy-Ins

The World Championship of Online Poker series comprises a total of 350 tournaments, divided into 121 distinct WCOOP events. Each is split between High, Medium, and Low buy-in levels, allowing a broad spectrum of players to participate. PokerStars stated that buy-ins start at $5.50 at the Low tier, with High-tier entries priced up to $25,000. This structure enables both recreational and high-stakes professionals to play for championship titles.

Formats included in the 2026 WCOOP feature:

• No Limit Hold'em (NLHE)
• 8-Game
• HORSE
• Progressive Knockout (PKO)
• Mystery Bounty

According to Steve Clarricoats, PokerStars Associate Director of Online Scheduling:

“A WCOOP victory is a piece of poker history. Every champion joins an exclusive group of players who have conquered one of the toughest online tournament series in the world.”

WCOOP Headliners: Sunday Million and the Six Main Events

The 2026 WCOOP will begin with the Finals (Phase 2) of the Sunday Million 20th Anniversary, set for September 6. This special event carries a $5 million guarantee, and daily $109 Heats (Phase 1) remain open until the series starts. PokerStars highlighted this tournament as a major draw for a wide player base at the start of WCOOP.

Anchoring the series are the six WCOOP Main Events, which collectively offer $6.5 million in guarantees:

• No Limit Hold'em Main Events: September 27
• Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) Main Events: September 28

The High versions of these tournaments are recognized as the official World Championship Events. Additional championship-format tournaments are scheduled throughout the month:

• NLHE 6-Max: September 6
• HORSE: September 7
• Razz: September 10
• NLHE PKO: September 13
• Triple Draw: September 15
• PLO8: September 17
• 8-Game: September 24

A $215 buy-in Women’s NLHE Championship, with a $10,000 guarantee, is also listed during the schedule.

Qualifying for the 2026 WCOOP: Satellites and Promotions

PokerStars has detailed multiple qualification routes for players aiming to secure WCOOP seats:

• Direct satellites starting from $0.55
• Special Edition Spin & Go's beginning at $0.75
• WCOOP Lucky Dip, awarding $500,000 in tickets (September 6–26)
• Power Path Express WCOOP Edition

The Lucky Dip promotion alone will distribute $500,000 in tickets during the lead up and throughout the first three weeks of WCOOP.

In addition, the WCOOP Series will award $100,000 in cash via Leaderboards across Low, Medium, High, and Player of the Series categories. These Leaderboards reward consistent performance and volume during the festival, matching practices seen in other large online poker tournament series.

Format, Participation, and PokerStars’ 25th WCOOP Milestone

By offering a diverse event lineup and a tiered buy-in system, PokerStars aims to appeal to both professionals and enthusiasts. The 25th WCOOP edition maintains a blend of classic poker variants and newer formats, reflecting changes in player demand and tournament design. The guarantee figures—$5 million for the Sunday Million and $6.5 million combined for the Main Events—continue to position the series as a key highlight of the international online poker calendar.

PokerStars' announcement comes with a reminder that 350 players will be crowned as 'World Champions' during the 2026 WCOOP, with more details and daily schedule information posted on their platform. Players interested in broader industry movements, qualification innovations, or event coverage can follow developments via the news and events sections.

Summary: Key Dates and WCOOP 2026 Details

• WCOOP 2026 runs September 6–30 on PokerStars.
• 121 events across 350 total tournaments
• Buy-ins from $5.50 to $25,000
• Six Main Events, $6.5 million in guaranteed prize pools
• Sunday Million 20th Anniversary Finals: September 6, $5 million guaranteed
• Satellites from $0.55, Lucky Dip promo awards $500,000 in WCOOP tickets
• $100,000 in WCOOP Leaderboard prizes

PokerStars reinforced the historical and promotional significance of this 25th anniversary edition, citing enhanced qualification opportunities and a comprehensive schedule designed to attract a wide field.