News

LAS VEGAS (August 26, 2021) –The World Series of Poker (WSOP) today announced that anyone attending the 2021 World Series of Poker tournament and $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, best known as “The Main Event®,” will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The event returns to live play at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino with the policy in effect beginning Thursday, Sept. 30 through Tuesday, Nov. 23. 

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly–it is made with no agenda beyond protecting player eligibility and the operations of a unique televised gaming event,” said Ty Stewart, WSOP Executive Director. “The nature of poker is to be in close proximity with your opponents for extended periods of time, and a seat at the World Series of Poker is a commitment for both our company and the participants. We want players to be excited for their return to the WSOP, while offering the greatest level of protection and limiting complications during the tournament this fall.”

Participants will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 one time, upon first registration, to become eligible to participate in WSOP events, including bracelet events, deep stack tournaments, satellites and live action games.

The WSOP will make use of CLEAR’s free mobile app and Health Pass feature. Participants who successfully verify their full vaccination status through CLEAR may go directly to the registration cage tellers within the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Convention Center.  WSOP will also provide an on-site center to verify alternate documentation including physical vaccination cards, and state or country-specific health passes.

To be considered “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, participants must receive their final vaccine dose 14 days prior to start date. This policy is inclusive of all participants, spectators, press and vendors. 

Consistent with current CDC guidelines and state mandates, all attendees and Team Members will be required to wear masks. Additionally, with the new policy, fully vaccinated WSOP participants who may have been exposed to a person who has tested positive will not be required to leave the tournament and quarantine if they remain asymptomatic since the time of exposure.

Additional information and a FAQ are available at WSOP.com/2021.  

About the World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker® is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world, having awarded more than $3.29 billion in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport’s top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker’s longest-running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970.  In 2019, the event attracted 187,298 entrants from 118 different countries to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and awarded more than $293 million in prize money. In addition, the WSOP has formed groundbreaking alliances in broadcasting, digital media and corporate sponsorships, while successfully expanding the brand internationally with the advent of WSOP Europe in 2007 and the WSOP Asia-Pacific in 2013 and the WSOP International Circuit Series in 2015. All WSOP events are subject to the then-current and applicable WSOP tournament rules. For more information, please visit www.wsop.com.