Twenty-five years into its history, the World Championship of Online Poker is returning to PokerStars with its most structured schedule in recent memory — 121 events spread across September 6 to September 30, 2026, with six Main Events carrying a combined guarantee of more than $6.5 million, according to PokerNews. Buy-ins span an unusually wide range, from $5.50 at the low end to $25,000 at the top, with the full schedule divided into High, Medium, and Low tiers to accommodate players across the bankroll spectrum.
The Main Events are clustered on September 27 and 28. On the 27th, three No-Limit Hold’em championships run simultaneously across the tier structure: the Low at $109 with a $1.25 million guarantee, the Medium at $1,050 with a $2 million guarantee, and the $10,300 High — billed as the NLHE Championship — carrying a $2.5 million guarantee. The following day shifts to Pot-Limit Omaha, with the Low and Medium PLO Main Events both at $109 and $1,050 respectively, and the $10,300 High PLO Championship guaranteeing $400,000. Beyond the Main Events, championship titles are on the line throughout the series, including a $5,200 NLHE 6-Max Championship on September 6, a $215 Women’s NLHE Championship on September 20, and a $2,100 8-Game Championship on September 24, among others. PokerNews reported that no fewer than 350 players are expected to earn a world champion title across the festival.
Game variety runs deep. The schedule includes No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, 8-Game, HORSE, Progressive Knockout, Mystery Bounty, and Triple Draw events, per PokerNews. According to PokerNews, PokerStars’ Associate Director of Online Scheduling Steve Clarricoats said a WCOOP title carries historical significance and places each winner among a select group that has made it through one of online poker’s toughest tournament series.
For players looking to qualify on a budget, PokerStars is offering traditional satellites starting at $0.55 alongside WCOOP-themed Spin & Go tournaments from $0.75. According to PokerNews, the WCOOP Lucky Dip promotion will hand out $500,000 in tournament tickets during the festival, while the Power Path Express edition will provide more than $175,000 in ticket bundles and Main Event entries. Rounding out the side promotions, $100,000 in cash prizes will be distributed through WCOOP Leaderboards covering Low, Medium, High, and overall Player of the Series races.
