Espn Delivers Its Biggest-ever WSOP Main Event Coverage In 2026 Return

# ESPN Delivers Its Biggest-Ever WSOP Main Event Coverage in 2026 Return *Published July 25, 2026* Poker's premier tournament is back on ESPN, and the network is going bigger than it ever has. For the first time since the COVID-era shutdown, ESPN will broadcast the World Series of Poker Main Event in the United States, ending a five-year run on CBS Sports Network from 2021 through 2025. The $10,000 buy-in World Championship kicked off July 2 at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas and runs through Aug. 5, with a multi-week pause once the final table is set. Longtime viewers will recognize the throwback feel of the ESPN production, now paired with an expanded television and livestream schedule that reaches more platforms than in previous years. ## A New Rhythm for the Main Event Beyond the change in networks, the tournament format itself carries a fresh wrinkle. Play condensed down to a nine-handed final table — dubbed the "August Nine" — on July 13. Each of those finalists is expected to lock up at least $1 million, then step away from the felt for several weeks to recover, scout their opponents, field media obligations, and potentially line up sponsorship deals. The nine survivors return Aug. 3 for three days of live final-table action. ESPN2 carries the first two sessions on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, with ESPN airing the conclusion on Aug. 5. ## Where and How to Watch The livestream backbone runs through ESPN+, the network's subscription app. Coverage opened with Day 1a on July 2, streaming from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. ET, and continues daily through all four Day 1 flights and Days 2 through 8. Fans wanting the full, unedited experience will need an ESPN+ subscription. For viewers who prefer a tighter cut, ESPN2 is airing edited recap episodes of the pre-final-table play. Two episodes run July 21 at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, with two more on July 28 at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Those episodes re-air on ESPN2 on July 22, 26, and 29. After the champion is crowned, ESPN2 premieres two finale episodes — one Aug. 9 and one Aug. 10, both at 10 p.m. ET — with rebroadcasts scheduled for Aug. 11, 13, 15, and 19. ## Familiar Voices in the Booth The broadcast reunites a lineup of well-known commentators, including Norman Chad, Lon McEachern, Ali Nejad, and Nick Schulman. PokerNews will supplement the coverage with daily live reporting from start to finish. ## International Coverage Outside the U.S., the Main Event airs through Warner Bros. networks. In Europe and Asia, HBO Max carries live final-table coverage along with 45-minute highlight episodes. Viewers in the U.K. and Ireland can find similar programming across TNT Sports, HBO Max, and Discovery+. Fans abroad are advised to check local cable and streaming listings for complete schedules. With more hours of airtime than the network has ever devoted to the event, ESPN's 2026 return marks the most extensive WSOP Main Event coverage in the tournament's television history.