WSOP UPDATES 2026: THE MAIN EVENT BUBBLE SET TO POP TODAY
Follow the 2026 WSOP Main Event as the money bubble bursts, Zixuan Liu wins his first bracelet, and the race for poker's biggest title heats up.
Jul 09 2026 09:57 AM EST
Las Vegas, Nevada (July 9, 2026) - With the opening days of the 2026 WSOP Main Event now complete, the excitement and intensity have reached another level at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas. While the world's most prestigious poker tournament continues to capture the spotlight, players are still battling for coveted WSOP gold bracelets across the festival's remaining events.
Media Summary: WSOP Day 45 of 51
Recent Results & Highlights
Event #85: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em
Winner: Zixuan Liu (China)
Prize: $219,391
Defeating Justin Shiao with eight-four suited, China’s Zixuan Liu nabbed his first WSOP gold bracelet and the largest score of his poker career.
Sasha Liu chip leads the WSOP Main Event seven spots from the money.
2026 WSOP Main Event No-Limit Hold’em set to reach the money today
Today marks Day 4 of the 2026 WSOP Main Event, with the bubble set to burst, rewarding each paid player at least $15,000. The official prize pool for the 2026 WSOP Main Event was confirmed late in Day 2D: each player who reaches the final table is awarded at least $1 million, with a $10 million top prize.
Day 4 Chip Leaders: Sasha Liu (2,364,000), Martin Zamani (1,963,000), Levon Khachatryan (1,745,000), Robert Gill (1,604,000), Zdenek Zizka (1,576,000).
Final Table Payouts: 1st place - $10,000,000 2nd place - $6,000,000 3rd place - $3,750,000 4th place - $2,750,000 5th place - $2,250,000 6th place - $1,750,000 7th place - $1,500,000 8th place - $1,250,000 9th place - $1,000,000
Top Countries Represented at the 2026 WSOP Main Event (111 Countries Total): United States of America (5,634), Canada (371), United Kingdom (356), France (296), Japan (222), Brazil (172), China (169), Israel (154), Spain (148), Germany (146).
Top Ten US States By Participants: California (965), Nevada (738), Florida (634), Texas (479), New York (403), New Jersey (219), Illinois (189), Washington (170), Pennsylvania (158), Arizona (131).
Oldest Player: Marshall Brenden (94 years old)
Youngest Player: Trevor O’Brien (21 years and 11 days)
Upcoming Schedule & Key Events
July 10, 2026: Event #92 - $3,000 T.O.R.S.E.
Significance: A mixed game event set to draw players who love dabbling in nearly every poker variation; be sure to catch this exciting tournament that will likely lead to a thrilling final table.
Media Note: H.O.R.S.E. is a tournament structure that alternates between some of the most popular poker variations, so don’t be surprised when you don’t see No-Limit Hold’em being played.
July 12, 2026: Event #95 - $500 Summer Saver No-Limit Hold’em
Significance: A low-stakes tournament that provides players an opportunity to bag a win that covers their summer expenses; players will look to “save their summer” in this $500 buy-in tournament.
Media Note: Low-stakes No-Limit Hold’em tournaments always draw large crowds, so make sure you’re prepared for breaks and crowd shots.
July 13, 2026: Event #97 - $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E.
Significance: The final high roller tournament of the 2026 WSOP.
Media Note: If there are any notable players whom you have yet to snap a photo or video of, this tournament may be your last chance.
David Williams and Joe Stapleton pictured with actor Kevin Pollack on the WSOP Countdown Show.
How to follow the action from WSOP 2026
Poker fans can follow the excitement via ESPN’s daily TV broadcasts or on the WSOP YouTube channel.
Fans and players are also encouraged to download the WSOP Live app, a one-stop shop for players to not only follow chip stacks and updates in real time, but also register for WSOP events held at the Las Vegas Paris and Horseshoe.
Players should follow @WSOP on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or check WSOP.com for more event news and updates.
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About the World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker® is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event and poker brand in the world, having awarded more than $4 billion in prize money over the past six decades. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker’s longest-running tournament dating back to 1970. In 2025, the flagship event in Las Vegas attracted 246,960 entrants and awarded more than $481 million in prize money – both all-time records for the series. The WSOP portfolio of events includes approximately 50 WSOP Circuit Events annually across five continents, WSOP Europe (since 2007), WSOP Paradise (since 2023) and the record-breaking WSOP Online festival. International satellites to WSOP live events are hosted exclusively at GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room. For more information, please visit www.wsop.com.
Media Contacts:Paul Burke (press@wsop.com)
