WPT LAPC Championship Returns to Commerce Casino in 2027 After Hiatus

The World Poker Tour (WPT) will bring the WPT LAPC Championship back to The Commerce Casino in 2027, restoring one of its landmark series after a multi-year hiatus. The tournament returns as part of an extended LA Poker Classic festival, which is expected to revitalize player turnout and re-establish the LAPC as a major fixture on the WPT calendar.

WPT LAPC Championship: Core Details for 2027

The 2027 WPT LAPC festival is scheduled to run at The Commerce Casino from January 15 to March 7. Its highlight, the WPT LAPC Championship, will take place February 26 to March 3 with a $10,000 buy-in freezeout format. Before the partnership ended after the COVID-19 pandemic, this event was one of the tour's longest-running mainstays. Historical champion fields routinely featured some of the most recognized players in poker.

Last season, participation in the LAPC Main Event declined sharply, drawing just 50 players in 2026. WPT leadership and The Commerce Casino are aiming for renewed momentum in 2027, supported by hundreds of seat giveaways and satellite promotions to boost entries for the main championship event.

The Historical Impact of the WPT LAPC Championship

The WPT LAPC Championship made its debut in the inaugural World Poker Tour season in 2003. Gus Hansen secured the first championship that year with a prize of over $530,000, setting the tone for big winners in subsequent years:

• Antonio Esfandiari captured the 2004 title
• Michael 'The Grinder' Mizrachi won in 2005
• Phil Ivey claimed his first WPT championship in 2008, triumphing over a table that included Phil Hellmuth
• Chris Moorman marked his first major live victory in 2014, earning $1,045,160
• Anthony Zinno won in 2015
• David 'ODB' Baker topped the field in 2019 and became the most recent champion prior to the hiatus

The event's history is closely tied to the reputations of both the WPT and The Commerce Casino. Several champions used their LAPC success as a springboard to further high-profile results on the international poker circuit.

Rebuilding the LAPC: WPT and The Commerce Casino Partnership

The halt in the WPT LAPC Championship after the pandemic resulted in lower attendance for post-2020 LAPC events, culminating in the markedly small field of 50 entrants in 2026. The World Poker Tour's renewed alliance with The Commerce Casino intends to reverse this decline. To celebrate the 2027 return, the venue will offer numerous qualifying options for players through giveaways, promotions, and satellite events, ensuring a broad player base and increased participation for the main championship.

The full Season 25 WPT LAPC schedule, including additional details on how to qualify, will be announced in the coming months. According to Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour:

"The LAPC holds an incredibly important place in the history of the World Poker Tour. Our partnership with The Commerce Hotel & Casino helped create countless memorable moments over the years, and we are proud to return in Season 25 and build upon that remarkable legacy together." — Adam Pliska, World Poker Tour CEO

Anticipated Impact on the Poker Community

Resuming the WPT LAPC Championship in 2027 is expected to stimulate renewed interest from both professional and recreational players, reinforcing The Commerce Casino's profile as a central venue for major poker events in the United States. Several high-profile seat giveaways and promotions will likely attract returning champions, rising stars, and broader media coverage. Observers anticipate that the return of the championship may serve as a key event for the 2027 poker calendar and could encourage other casinos to invest in flagship series.

What to Expect Ahead of the 2027 LAPC

Further information about the full WPT LAPC festival schedule and detailed qualifying procedures will be released soon. Operators, sponsors, and poker media are watching closely to assess the impact of the festival's revival on player numbers and event prestige. For updates regarding tournament dates and player opportunities, stay tuned to news and events coverage from the World Poker Tour, The Commerce Casino, and official poker news outlets.