World Series of Poker Postponed Until Fall 2020
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is officially being postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The 51st edition of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) was set to begin on Tuesday, May 26 from the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
However, it has to be pushed back, like many other major events around the world, in order not to contribute to spread of the virus.
Now, the organizers aim for it to begin in the fall of 2020. The exact dates and events are yet to be determined.
“We are committed to running the World Series of Poker this year but need additional time to proceed on our traditional scale while prioritizing guest and staff well-being,” said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of the World Series of Poker.
“In the interim, official WSOP competitions are expected to be played online this summer, the official statement read. This will be done in the similar vein of online tournament series WSOP Spring Online Championships Series.
They will soon announce details of an expanded series of tournaments to be played on WSOP.com and through partnership with international operators, which will allow players to chase WSOP glory from their homes.”
Held since 1971, the poker’s most renowned and recognized tournament festival was always running in spring, and since 2005 was moved to the June/July schedule that most players today are familiar with.
This is the first time in the event’s 50-year history, that this is being changed to a much later date.
When this year’s edition does run, it will include poker’s world championship, the $10,000 buy-in Main Event championship, the richest prize pool on the poker calendar each year. Once details for the revised 2020 WSOP are finalized, they will be announced.
The next live event on the WSOP schedule is still the Global Casino Championship, which is happening from August 11-13th, 2020 at Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina. This is an invitation-only event, open to those who have qualified.
Meanwhile, WSOP Europe, hosted at King’s Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, remains on the calendar for the Fall 2020.
All announced dates, times and events are subject to change.