WPF Ladies Weekend Returns in October with Events in 14 Countries

The WPF Ladies Weekend, organized by the World Poker Federation (WPF), returns from October 16 to 18, 2026, with simultaneous women’s competitions in at least 14 countries. The stated goal is to increase women's participation in poker and obtain direct feedback on experiences and barriers in the game. Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, when around 2,000 women participated and Brazil brought in over 500 registrants, the WPF hopes to match or exceed participation and maintain a positive momentum for female inclusion in the international circuit.

2026: More Countries and Wider Reach for the WPF Ladies Weekend

The 2026 event confirms tournaments in the United States, United Kingdom (London), Brazil (São Paulo), Taiwan (Taipei), Belgium (Antwerp), Bulgaria (Sofia), Estonia (Tallinn), France (Aix-en-Provence), Hong Kong (Kowloon), Israel (Bnei Brak), Liechtenstein (Bendern), Nigeria (Lagos), Philippines (Manila), and South Africa (Cape Town). In the United States, tournaments will be distributed across various states and venues:

• Nevada: Bellagio Las Vegas, featuring Jamie Kerstetter and Emma Hodge as speakers.
• California: Stars Casino Tracy.
• Florida: Oxford Downs Summerfield, One Eyed Jacks Sarasota, Bonita Springs Poker Room.
• Kentucky: The OG Clubhouse Oak Grove.
• Ohio: Empire Social Lounge Toledo.
• Pennsylvania: Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
• Texas: Palace Poker Grand Prairie.

Additional stops in Arizona and New Mexico are also being considered. Each stop will incorporate parallel activities: bootcamps, roundtables, and networking opportunities for participants. The WPF collaborates with local poker federations for organization and marketing, collecting real-time feedback to analyze the barriers players face.

A Global Approach Driven by Local Participation

The format does not centralize organization; local entities manage the experience in each country, with the WPF coordinating the international agenda and promoting media coverage. In 2025, over 500 women participated solely in Brazil; specialized events like High Rollers and Pot Limit Omaha were also part of the program. The WPF president, Roberto Lifschitz, highlights local media impact and the perception of female poker: “We had enormous local media attention, which was our main goal: to promote poker and present it to women in an open environment.”

“We do not organize the tournaments or receive direct compensation; our goal is to promote local poker and show women that the environment is accessible and different,” Lifschitz explained about the philosophy behind the initiative.

The organization maintains its future goal of holding a 'champion of champions' event, although it acknowledges the challenge of unifying categories and structures if participation levels differ significantly between countries and venues.

Special Coverage: UK and International Figures

The Hippodrome Casino in London will host the only UK stop on the circuit. Among the guests are Victoria Livschitz (Octopi Poker) and PokerStars ambassador Marle Spragg. Spragg will participate in cash games, the main tournament 'Hippodrome Women’s Classic' with a £300 buy-in and a guaranteed prize pool of £20,000, and will contribute to the strategic bootcamp. Marle Spragg will also be part of a live-streamed cash game on Friday the 16th and will conduct a hand analysis session on Saturday, followed by the main tournament on Sunday the 18th.

Jennifer Shahade, an author, chess champion, and PokerStars ambassador, will also participate remotely. Shahade will discuss strategies for women's events and adapting to streaming gameplay, drawing on her victory at the Hippodrome Women’s Summer Festival and her book ‘Thinking Sideways’ on creativity and confidence at the table.

“Live-streams help women feel comfortable under the cameras, preparing for bigger goals such as EPT or WSOP,” Shahade asserts.

Highlighted Trajectories and Female Role Models in Global Poker

The rise of female poker is reflected in the recent achievements of figures like Kristen Foxen, who won the 2025 $25K High Roller event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), earning over $1.7 million. Leo Margets reached the final table of the WSOP Main Event in 2025, becoming only the second woman to do so in three decades, finishing seventh and taking home $1.5 million. Shiina Okamoto has shined in the European Poker Tour and the WSOP. Jennifer Shahade also adds titles, such as the PokerStars Open Philly Live Ladies Event in March.

When Marle Spragg is asked about current role models, she highlights Krissy Foxen as a role model and Cecile Ticherfatine and Leo Margets as innovative and solid players in international tournaments. Shahade mentions the dynamic presence of Julie Cornelius and the historic tenacity of Xuan Liu, a recent finalist at Triton Poker Jeju. These references demonstrate the sustained advancement of women in the global elite.

Outlook: Growth and Long-Term Challenges

The measurement of success for integration initiatives like the WPF Ladies Weekend transcends traditional indicators. The federation recognizes that the effects are long-term and require time to settle. Sustained growth in female participation and media visibility are, for the WPF, the best medium-term outcome. Meanwhile, the plan to connect local champions in a unified international event remains in place, despite logistical and tournament structure challenges. With the October 2026 edition, the WPF Ladies Weekend extends its reach and maintains its commitment to diversity, presenting new integration opportunities and global role models.

For more information and specific updates on local stops, the WPF invites interested parties to consult national poker federations and specialized media. You can also follow specialized coverage in the events section and updates on the female segment in news.