2026 World Series of Poker

Event #88: $300 Gladiators of Poker
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Day: 1a
Event Info
2026 World Series of Poker
Event Info
Buy-in
$300
New Updates

Thousands Prepare to Battle on Day 1a of the $300 Gladiators of Poker

Matthew Pitt
Matthew Pitt
Ian Pelz
Ian Pelz

The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas is gearing up for Event #88: $300 Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold’em. This two-day tournament starts at 10 a.m. local time in Las Vegas on July 8, and we’ll have a bracelet winner on Monday, July 13.

The Gladiators of Poker is a No-Limit Hold’em tournament that attracts massive fields each year thanks to its low buy-in and juicy structure. A crowd of 20,000+ is expected to compete for this event's bracelet.

📌 Event Snapshot

  • Event: #88 – $300 Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold’em
  • Date(s): July 8-13
  • Time: 10 a.m. local time
  • Buy-In: $300
  • Format: No-Limit Hold’em
  • Late Registration: Open for 11 levels (approx. 4:30 p.m. local time)
  • Reentries: two per flight
  • Starting Stack: 30,000 chips
  • Levels: 30 minutes on Day 1, 40 minutes on Days 2-3
  • 2025 Winner: Ian Pelz ($420,680)
  • 2025 Field Size: 24,629 entries
  • 2025 Prize Pool: $6,058,734

Structure and Schedule

The $300 Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold’em event starts at 10 a.m. local time on July 8, with the first of four Day 1 starting flights (Day 1b, 1c, and 1d will take place the following days through July 11). Each entrant will receive 30,000 chips at the start of play. Late registration remains open for 11 levels, and should close right around 4:30 p.m. local time.

Day 1 will run until the field has reached its final 15 percent or 22 levels have been completed, whichever comes later. There will be 30-minute levels on Day 1. Breaks (20 minutes) on Day 1 will occur every four levels, and a 75-minute dinner break is planned for after Level 15 (approximately 6:30 p.m.).

Day 2 restart is set for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 12. Levels will jump to 40 minutes, and the day won't conclude until 17 levels have been played. Day 3, on July 13, is the final day when a winner will be crowned.

Past Champions & History

At the 2025 WSOP, Ian Pelz beat an insanely massive field of 24,629 entries to win $420,680 out of the $6,054,734 prize pool, and of course the bracelet.

Stephen Winters was the 2024 Gladiators of Poker champion. He beat a field with 20,647 entrants for the bracelet and $401,240 first-place prize.

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Tags: Ian PelzStephen Winters