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27.05.2026

WSOP Day 1: The Gates Open, But One Big Secret Remains

The biggest poker event of the year is finally here. The opening day of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2026 has kicked off in Las Vegas. The atmosphere in the Horseshoe and Paris rooms was reminiscent of the first day at summer camp. Greetings, handshakes, and an incredible sense of anticipation filled the air. Right from the start, the first two events of the planned 100 bracelet events for this summer got underway.

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The First Two Events Take Off

Michael Mizrachi had the honor of delivering the iconic phrase “Shuffle Up and Deal”, officially kicking off not just the entire series but specifically the massive opening flight of Event #1: $550 Mini Mystery Millions. For Mizrachi, it was a symbolic return to the scene after his triumph in the world's most famous tournament last year.

Day 1a of Mini Mystery Millions attracted 1,635 entries, providing a fantastic start. Due to the immense interest, record numbers are expected from the series’ opening.

Additionally, Event #2: $5,000 NLH 8-Max began, attracting world-class professionals. Among the more than 400 entries are well-known names like Shaun Deeb, Josh Arieh, Yuri Dzivielevski, and Nick Shulman, eager to snag their first “scalp” of the season.

Earlier, teams emerged in the popular $25K Fantasy Draft, where Shaun Deeb became the season’s highest-valued player ($133), followed by Michael Moncek ($130) and Daniel Negreanu ($116).

The Mystery Behind the Huge Curtain

The biggest topic on the first day, besides the game itself, is the massive black curtain at the end of the Paris room. Behind it lies an entirely new and reportedly “monstrous” setup for television tables.

Players who’ve peeked behind the curtain express enthusiasm. While Daniel Negreanu keeps the details under wraps, John Wasnock, last year's Main Event runner-up, said that the setup is amazing and will infuse a whole new energy. The big reveal of this scene is set for Friday, and it’s expected to blow everyone away.

Where to Watch WSOP? Switch to ESPN and Free Streams

For fans at home, 2026 brings a significant change. The era of PokerGO and CBS Sports Network has ended, and WSOP returns to ESPN after years. Here’s how you can follow the action:

  • Main Event: It will be broadcast via the ESPN app, with the final table available for free on ESPN or ESPN2. The legendary duo Lon McEachern and Norman Chad will handle commentary for the Main Event.

  • Great news for fans: all 99 bracelet events (except for the Main Event) will be available to watch completely free on the official WSOP YouTube channel, as well as on platforms X, Facebook, and Twitch.

  • New team: Familiar faces like Joe Stapleton, Maria Ho, Nick Schulman, Ali Nejad, and David Williams will step up to the microphones.


Sources: WSOP, X, YouTube

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