International news

  The Global Poker Index (GPI) and The Hendon Mob (THM) have officially confirmed that the physical Global Poker Awards will not be held in 2026. This landmark annual event in the poker world will enter a period of adjustment in 2026, prompting many professional players and industry observers to rethink: what is the core value of the poker world after the red carpet and ceremony? For many players, the Global Poker Awards has always been somewhat like an annual ritual for the poker world. It's not just about awarding prizes; it's more like a summary of the entire industry's performance, content, figures, and influence. But now, GPI has chosen to press the pause button, shifting its focus away from the spectacle and ceremony and returning resources to rankings, data, and the annual honors themselves. Why is GPI canceling the 2026 Global Poker Awards? According to GPI President Eric Danis, the main reason for the cancellation is very straightforward: the disproportionate relationship between manpower and operating costs. The GPI team itself is lean, but every year during the preparation period for the Global Poker Awards, core members spend almost two months handling event-related work. For an organization responsible for managing massive amounts of global poker data and player rankings, such investment has clearly impacted daily operational efficiency. Another practical factor is attendance. In recent years, many high-profile players, despite receiving nominations, have shown little willingness to participate. For these players still active in major tournaments, they often prefer to spend their time at the poker table and the tournament itself rather than flying to the awards ceremony. As the physical value of the ceremony declines year by year, GPI's eventual decision to adjust its direction is not surprising. What will happen after the Global Poker Awards are discontinued? GPI has stated that future acceptance speeches will be conducted remotely and will be broadcast as short videos on the poker program "No Gamble, No Future" on April 1, 2026. In other words, the red carpet will disappear, and the banquet will be canceled, but winners will still be formally introduced and recognized, only the overall presentation will be more digital and streamlined. This change reduces the formality of the traditional ceremony but is more in line with the industry's pace in 2026. For the current poker world, efficiency, scalability, and data systems are clearly more important than the physical event itself. After the 2026 event is cancelled, which honors will be retained? 1. The GPI Player of the Year award will continue. The competition for the GPI Player of the Year, which players care about most, will not be cancelled due to the cancellation of the ceremony, and the related honors will be retained. 2. The Hendon Mob awards will still be presented. The annual honors of The Hendon Mob will continue, indicating that the overall recognition is not cancelled, but the presentation format is adjusted. 3. Physical trophies will still be sent to the winners. Even without a physical banquet and awards ceremony stage, the trophies will still be sent to the winners.