The World Sequence of Poker is again on ESPN.
On Thursday, ESPN and the World Sequence of Poker introduced a multiyear settlement to carry the competitors again to the media outlet’s platforms this summer time. The brand new deal is highlighted by greater than 100 hours of protection of the principle occasion starting on July 2, culminating in a three-night linear finale for the ultimate desk from Aug. 3 to five.
Early-round protection of the principle occasion will embrace three simultaneous featured tables, permitting viewers to see extra arms from the highest gamers as they make their means by means of the event. World Sequence of Poker CEO Ty Stewart touted a “high-paced viewing expertise” with the brand new broadcasts.
“It is with nice pleasure that the WSOP is coming dwelling to ESPN,” Stewart stated in an electronic mail. “The legacy of this partnership helped the sport explode and we won’t wait to ship inspiration by means of world class content material to a brand new era of viewers.”
ESPN first broadcast the principle occasion in 1987 and has been concerned in some capability in each decade since. For a lot of the partnership’s historical past, the broadcaster aired all the event on a tape delay, however in 2008, the pair determined to experiment by pushing the ultimate desk a number of months to November, with the ultimate gamers being known as “the November 9.”
Stewart sees the brand new August grand finale as a non secular successor to that idea, with the three-week timeline being lengthy sufficient to construct hype, however quick sufficient to take care of momentum. In one other callback to the unique format, ESPN additionally plans to air edited episodes with “expansive storytelling and programming,” in accordance with the discharge.
“Welcoming the World Sequence of Poker again to ESPN is a significant second for followers and for us,” ESPN vp of programming and acquisitions Ashley O’Connor stated in a press release. “We’re excited to showcase the depth and unpredictability of this event throughout our platforms.”
Skilled poker veteran Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi won the 2025 WSOP main event for his eighth bracelet total and his first within the collection’ greatest sport. Mizrachi took dwelling the $10 million prime prize from a pool of over $90.5 million compiled from 9,735 gamers, making it the third-largest Essential Occasion in WSOP historical past.
