PokerNews live coverage of this event will begin on Day 2 (July 11). Until then, we will keep readers informed with updates on chip counts and core event statistics, including entries and the prize pool. Scroll down to see more.
The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas is gearing up for Event #89: $3.000 Mid-Stakes Championship No-Limit Hold’em. This tournament features a trio of Day 1s, the first starts at noon local time in Las Vegas on July 8, and we’ll have a bracelet winner on July 13.
The Mid-Stakes Championship is a prestigious tournament for the mid-stakes grinders around the world who don’t always get the same recognition as the high rollers. This is their event to shine and the event where a $1 million top prize is higjly probable.
The $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship No-Limit Hold’em event starts at noon local time on July 8, with the first of three Day 1 starting flights (Day 1b and 1c will take place the following days through July 10). Each entrant will receive 40,000 chips at the start of play. Late registration remains open for 11 levels, which takes place during the early stages of Day 2. Blind levels will remain at 60 minutes throughout the tournament.
Day 1 will run until 10 levels have been completed. There will be 20-minute breaks every six levels, and a 60-minute dinner break is scheduled after Level 6, around 6:40 p.m.
Day 2 restart is set for at noon on July 11. Breaks will drop to 15 minutes, but players will again play 10 levels. Dinner break, again 60 minutes, is set for around 7:30 p.m. after Level 26.
Day 3 on July 12 will have the exact same structure as Day 2, and the noon restart for Day 4 on July 13 will play down to a winner.
At the 2025 WSOP, Ian O’Hara beat a field of 3,797 entries to win $1,109,408, plus bounties, out of the $6,054,734 prize pool, and of course the Mid-Stakes Championship bracelet.
Clement Richez was the 2024 Mid-Stakes champion. He beat a field with 3,177 entrants for the bracelet and $1,041,989 first-place prize.
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Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship No-Limit Hold'em
Day 1a Started
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