The World Series of Poker Trip
A summer of bracelet events in Las Vegas, for players and spectators.
Plan Tournament TravelThe World Series of Poker, for Travelers
The World Series of Poker is the biggest poker festival on the calendar: dozens of tournaments over several summer weeks in Las Vegas, each awarding a gold bracelet, and the Main Event that crowns the world champion. For many players and fans, it is a once-a-year pilgrimage.
The 2026 series ran from May 26 to July 15 at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, side by side at the center of the Strip and connected by an indoor walkway. Its schedule had about one hundred live bracelet events, from small-buy-in tournaments to high-roller events, in Texas hold'em, Omaha and mixed games. The Main Event began on July 2.
The official WSOP site publishes the schedule, the structure sheets and the registration rules each year.
Planning a WSOP Trip
Pick your events
Most visitors build a trip around a handful of events rather than the whole summer. Note the start times and how many days each one can last.
Stay close
The host casinos and nearby Strip hotels let you walk to registration and back between levels.
Allow for deep runs
A good run can stretch an event by a day or two. Keep the return flight flexible if you can.
Budget firmly
Decide what you are prepared to spend on entries before you arrive, and keep it separate from the travel budget.
Las Vegas Beyond the Tables
Summer in Las Vegas is hot, so the city lives indoors and after dark. Between sessions there are shows, pools, restaurants and day trips to Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Our sister sites See and Do Vegas and Tour the Shows cover what to do and what to see on stage. For flights, compare on Airfares for Less.
- Drink plenty of water; the desert heat and casino air are both drying.
- Carry ID; you must be 21 to play or linger on a Nevada casino floor.
- If gambling stops being fun, stop. Free, confidential help is available through state problem-gambling helplines.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the World Series of Poker?
Every summer in Las Vegas. In 2026 it ran from May 26 to July 15 at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, with the Main Event starting on July 2. The organizers announce the next schedule each year.
Can I watch the World Series of Poker in person?
Yes. Spectators can watch from the rail around the tournament area, and the feature tables draw crowds during the Main Event. You must be 21 to be on a Nevada casino floor.
Do I have to be a professional to play?
No. Anyone of legal age who registers can enter an event, and the schedule includes events of very different sizes and formats. Set a budget before you go and stick to it.
Plan a World Series of Poker Trip
Tell us which weeks you want in Las Vegas and we will plan flights and a hotel near the action.
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