The $1 Million Big One for One Drop Returns to WSOP

The $1 Million buy-in Big One for One Drop, after a year out of the WSOP schedule, returns to the WSOP 2026 with a few changes. It will still be played for charity, however, 2026 sees the tournament taking place at Caesars Palace rather than at the Rio Hotel and Casino. The other noticeable change is that an extra table will be added, taking the number of entries available up to 56 players. This means that first place could pay, should all seats be taken, a cool $20 Million. Not only would this win put a smile on someone's face, it would also mean that the winner would rocket towards the top of the all-time tournament money list.

Making Other Big Buy-Ins Look Like Micro Stakes!

Antonio Esfandiari, the Ultimate Poker professional, won the tournament last time it was played in 2012, taking home $18 Million. This is a scoop for Caesars, as the whole tournament will be televised this time around. Caesars CEO Mitch Garber said, "This event quickly established itself as special and unique and for that reason we chose to make it an every other year affair. But, we can't wait to host it again in 2026 and continue to use this vehicle to impact the planet through One Drop's platform." The One Drop charity was founded by Guy Laliberte, who is well known as the founder of Cirque du Soleil and he plans on playing in the event. In a press release, he stated, "It was a terrific inaugural event in 2012 with One Drop raising nearly $5.3 million from the Big One event. There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure access to water for all. I have no doubt that the poker community will once again live up to its reputation for generosity by helping to transform lives sustainably."

First time around in 2012, all seats sold out as is expected to be the case in 2026. Last time, 9 players made the money, with the smallest check being written for $1.1 Million and second place paying Sam Trickett over $10 Million. The Big One for One Drop is not your everyday poker tournament, it is not even your everyday WSOP tournament, and this one makes high roller events look like micro stakes.

The full schedule for the WSOP 2026 should be released in November.