The toughest poker tournament is back: WSOP prepares for the 1TP 4T 50K PPC.

The $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC) returns to the 2026 WSOP, featuring nine mixed formats and a star-studded lineup vying for the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy. Michael Mizrachi leads the pack with four titles.

What many players consider the toughest tournament in poker history will return on Sunday at the 2026 World Series of Poker in Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas – the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC).

Now in its 16th year, the PPC has become one of the most coveted championship titles in the game, with only the WSOP Main Event matching its prestige for many poker elites.

Over five days, a lineup of mixed-game experts and Hall of Famers will battle it out across nine poker variants for the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy and the honor of sharing the title with the game’s greatest champions.

This seven-handed tournament rotates between No-Limit Texas Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud, Omaha H-Lo 8 or better, Razz, Pot-Limit Omaha, Limit Texas Hold'em, No-Limit 2-7 Low Stud Draw, Seven-Card Stud H-Lo 8 or better, and 2-7 Three Draw. Players start with 300,000 chips, and each level lasts 100 minutes throughout the tournament.

Another chapter in the history of PPC

The PPC debuted in 2010 as an eight-game format, and after the return of No-Limit 2-7 Low Stud draw in 2021, it evolved into the nine-game format it is today. For many years, the tournament has been dominated by the most accomplished players in the game.

Michael Mizrachi won a record fourth PPC title in 2025, following victories in 2010, 2012, and 2018. His four wins account for half of his eight WSOP gold bracelets and have helped him accumulate over $6 million in winnings from this event alone.

Brian Rast won the title three times (2011, 2016, and 2023), while Dan "Jungleman" Cates was the only player to successfully defend his title—winning back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. Daniel Negreanu ended an 11-year drought of gold bracelets with a victory in 2024.

"There's one tournament in the world that I most want to participate in, and that's the one I most want to win, and that's this one. This one," Negreanu told PokerNews two years ago after his victory.

"Obviously, the main event is special in a different way. But this is an event that brings together all the best players in the world, a densely packed arena of professionals, playing at the 100-minute level, day after day, 12 hours a day. So to stand out here, you can't rely on luck."

Only two players have won their first gold bracelet in this event. Matthew Ashton won $1,774,089 in 2013, out of a record 132 entries; while Elior Sion joined him in 2017.

Mizrachi also has five final table appearances, the most of any player, while Rast, Phil Ivey, and Ashton each have four.

Two women have made it into the money in this tournament. Melissa Burr finished seventh in 2014, while Esther Taylor came within two places of the champion last year, finishing third with $595,136.

2026 Poker Players Tournament Schedule

• Dates: June 21-25, 2026

• Start time: 2 p.m. local time

• Competition Format: Nine Mixed Types

• Starting stack: 300,000

• Level duration: 100 minutes

• Late registration: Open until Level 10 begins the following day (around 7:30 PM).

• Repurchase: None

The first three days will feature six levels each day, with the fourth day seeing the final five finishers. The new champion will be crowned on June 25th.

Last year's tournament attracted 107 entries, creating a total prize pool of $5,082,500. Mizrachi won his historic fourth title with $1,331,322.

Who will emerge from another star-studded lineup to add their name to one of poker's most unique honor rolls?

Stay tuned to PokerNews for real-time updates, chip counts, and full coverage of every stage of the #60:$50,000 Poker Players Tournament.

All PPC Champions

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