ESPN returns to the World Series of Poker main event after a five‑year blackout, reviving the $10,000 buy‑in championship that produced legends like Phil Hellmuth and Chris Moneymaker. Fans can expect live coverage each night, with celebrity analysts breaking down key hands and the evolving chip stacks. The field features over 8,000 entrants, guaranteeing massive prize pools and intense competition.

Hellmuth ignored his 2025 retirement vow, arriving as Superman despite not cashing since 2015. Daniel Negreanu, fresh from a 2024 $50,000 Players Championship win, fronts GGPoker’s $500 million WSOP acquisition, while Phil Ivey quietly adds a 2024 Deuce‑to‑Seven bracelet. Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi pursues a bracelet haul 2025 titles. Hellmuth’s costumes have ranged from an ’80s rock star to a Roman emperor and a NASCAR driver.

Women remain under‑represented, yet players like Cherish Andrews and Kristen Foxen hover near breakthrough, each with millions in earnings and bracelet success. Controversial figures such as William Kassouf, banned in 2025 but cleared for 2026, add drama. The showdown will test stamina as the tournament stretches over ten days of nonstop action this year overall.