Alex Foxen Takes Commanding Lead in WSOP Player of the Year Race

Alex Foxen’s Dominance

At the absolute pinnacle sits American pro Alex Foxen, who is proving to be in top form. Foxen holds an impressive lead of over 600 points ahead of his nearest challenger. His journey to the top of the leaderboard features eight cashes, five of which he converted into final table appearances and one gold bracelet win.

Foxen’s dominance is all the sweeter as his wife, Kristen Foxen, has also had a successful summer, securing her sixth career bracelet during this year’s series. Kristen currently ranks in the Top 30 of the POY standings and isn’t far behind the leaders. 

With his results, Alex is proving that the POY leaderboard doesn't have to be the exclusive domain of Mixed Games specialists; focusing on NLH and PLO events can also bring victory.

Chasers on His Heels

Though Foxen has a solid lead, a formidable chase group is forming behind him. In second place is experienced Nick Schulman. Rounding out the top three is legend and 2025 title defender Shaun Deeb, the only one among the top trio to score points at the spring WSOP Europe in Prague.

The tension is heightened by the fact that this year's leaderboard is incredibly close, with names like Naoya Kihara, Josh Arieh, and two-time summer champion Calvin Anderson pushing into the Top 10.

Players like Yuri Dzivielevski, who frequently appear at final tables in high-stakes championships, could still significantly impact the final standings.

Generous Rewards for the Best

The 2026 leaderboard brings several novelties. Points are accumulated from three main stops: WSOP Europe in Prague, WSOP in Las Vegas, and the final WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas. Only the best 15 results from open tournaments count for each player.

The motivation is substantial, with $1,000,000 in prizes to be distributed among the top 100 players. The top three will receive a luxurious $100K Paradise Package for WSOP Paradise, while players up to 15th place can look forward to Super Main Event packages in the Bahamas worth $30,000.

Current TOP 10 Ranking in the WSOP Player of the Year Standings:

Source: WSOP