WSOP Poised to Return to ESPN Once Again

(AsiaGameHub) –   The World Series of Poker (WSOP), a poker powerhouse established by Benny Binion, and ESPN have announced a new streaming agreement on Thursday, confirming that the world’s most prestigious and popular poker event will once again be broadcast on the network.

ESPN to Bring Top-Tier Poker Action to Fans

This multi-year streaming partnership will begin with the 2026 edition of the event, scheduled to start on July 2, 2026, and will continue through the final table, which is set to take place from August 3 to August 5, 2026.

Details of the agreement have been released, indicating that coverage will feature three tables running concurrently for the Main Event, which is widely considered the most engaging and rewarding competition on the schedule.

Commenting on this significant development, Ty Stewart, CEO of the World Series of Poker, expressed his enthusiasm, calling it an excellent opportunity to provide poker enthusiasts with a more dynamic viewing experience.

“It’s with great pride that the WSOP is coming home to ESPN. The legacy of this partnership helped the game explode, and we can’t wait to deliver inspiration through world-class content to a new generation of viewers,” Stewart stated.

The WSOP Main Event is anticipated to be one of the most significant in its history. Last year’s event saw a total prize pool of $90.5 million, distributed among over 9,735 participants.

This figure represented the third-largest Main Event in the series’ history, but Stewart is optimistic that the event will surpass all previous records.

However, travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration may have negatively impacted the participation of international players. Despite these challenges, the WSOP continues to maintain its cultural relevance, with various developments surrounding the brand.

For instance, Phil Hellmuth, who holds 17 WSOP bracelets, recently suggested that the number of bracelets awarded annually should be reduced, arguing that the proliferation of events diminishes the value of the original bracelets.