There's Huge Value Up for Grabs in PokerStars' New Years Series this Sunday
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The New Year Series on PokerStars is shaping up as one of the best-value online festivals of the early 2026 schedule, with the series guaranteeing no less than $18 million in total prizes across a packed slate of events.
Before attention turns to the headline Main Events next week, one tournament in particular stands out this Sunday as a perfect place to get involved and build momentum.
$75 PKO Sunday Special Brings $400K Guaranteed
This Sunday, the New Year Series rolls out the $75 NLHE PKO Sunday Special, a two-day event carrying a $400,000 guarantee that looks especially generous for the buy-in.
Progressive Knockout formats reward aggression, and with bounties paid from the moment players start busting, there is real value throughout the field, not just at the final table. Every elimination puts cash straight into your account while also increasing your own bounty.
With a 50,000 starting stack, multiple re-entries available during late registration, and play carrying over to Day 2, this feels like a proper championship-style event at a very accessible price point.
For players eyeing the bigger buy-ins later in the series, it also serves as an ideal warm-up, and a chance to build confidence before the flagship events arrive.
Satellites From $2.20 Keep the Door Wide Open
If $75 feels like a stretch, PokerStars has ensured there are plenty of ways to get involved anyway.
Satellites for the PKO Sunday Special are running around the clock, starting from as little as $2.20, giving players repeated chances to spin a small buy-in into a seat in one of the best-value tournaments of the series.
Main Events Loom Large on January 18
The Sunday Special also comes a week before the New Year Series hits its peak with three major Main Events on January 18, offering something for every bankroll level:
- Main Event Low (Mystery Bounty) – $109 buy-in, $1,000,000 guaranteed
- Main Event Medium (PKO) – $1,050 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed
- Main Event High – $5,200 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed
Like the Sunday Special, you do not need a huge bankroll to take a serious shot in the New Year Series. PokerStars has leaned heavily into qualifying routes — such as the Power Path Express — with multiple low-cost paths feeding into the biggest events on the schedule.
Qualifying paths include:
| Method | Entry From | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Power Path | $0.50 | Free daily tickets available just for playing |
| Satellites | $1.10 | Direct paths into high-value target events |
| Special Edition Spin & Go’s | $0.75 | Fast-paced shots at Series tickets in minutes |
