The latest edition of the 888poker XL Winter Series is right around the corner, with the first of 59 numbered events scheduled to shuffle up and deal on January 18. By the time the 59th and final XL Series event crowns its champion on January 27, 888poker will have awarded over $1.5 million, including a cool $500,000 from the XL Winter Rakeless Main Event alone.
Eight numbered events kick the XL Winter Series off on January 18, in what is one of the busiest days on the schedule. Buy-ins on the opening day range from $8.80 to $525, with guaranteed prize pools tipping the scales at $9,000 to $100,000. The latter is the guaranteed place on the $109 Opening Event Rakeless Mystery Edition at 6:00 p.m. GMT.
The subsequent days feature at least five numbered events and a handful of side events with buy-ins to suit all bankrolls. Several formats, including classic, progressive knockout, and mystery bounty tournaments, keep matters fresh and exciting throughout the XL Winter Series.
$100,000 Guaranteed for a $25 Buy-in
One of the best value tournaments on the 2026 XL Winter Series schedule is Event #52: Mystery Bounty Mini Event. This $25 buy-in mystery bounty tournament boasts a $100,000 guarantee despite its affordable buy-in. Flights for this tournament start January 11, with the second and final day bursting into life at 9:30 p.m. GMT on January 26.
$500,000 Guaranteed XL Winter Series Main Event is 100% Rake Free
The largest guaranteed event of the 2026 XL Winter Series is reserved for the $250 buy-in Mystery Bounty Main Event. Every cent from the $250 buy-in goes into the prize pool, making this tournament entirely rakeless!
Day 1s for the $500,000 Main Event started on December 28. So far, 407 players have bought in, with 45 progressing to Day 2, which runs from 9:30 p.m. GMT on January 26. Day 2 ends when only eight players remain, with those eight returning to the action on January 27 to conclude the tournament under the watchful eyes of the popular 888poker Twitch stream.
#58 – Daily Gems Mystery Bounty Frenzy Mini Special
$8.80
$5,000
7:00 p.m.
#59 – Daily Gems Closing Event Big Shot
$109
$10,000
7:00 p.m.
#53 – Rakeless Mystery Main Event Final Table
$500,000
Claim Your 888poker Welcome Bonus Today
Players residing in the United Kingdom can receive £50 worth of tournament tickets when they download 888poker via PokerNews and make a deposit of at least $10 using the bonus code "GET50."
If you do this, 888poker will put 15x $1 tickets in your account on Day 1, with 10x $1 tickets landing in your account for the next five days after you make the qualifying deposit.
Those preferring a traditional welcome bonus can make a deposit of at least $100 using the bonus code "WELCOME100." This grants them a 100% up to $1,000 welcome bonus.
Most European residents can claim $20 worth of free play without having to make a deposit; they can also claim a 100% up to €800 first deposit bonus if they use the code "WELCOME100."
Outside of Europe, the free play is $8 without a deposit, and the 100% up to $1,000 is also available. Make sure you download 888poker via our links to ensure you are eligible for all 888poker welcome offers.
Matthew Pitt hails from Leeds, West Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom, and has worked in the poker industry since 2008, and worked for PokerNews since 2010. In September 2010, he became the editor of PokerNews. Matthew stepped away from live reporting duties in 2015, and now concentrates on his role of Senior Editor for the PokerNews.
