BetMGM Poker Championship Returns to ARIA with $4m Guarantee

BetMGM Poker Championship 2026 is set to return to ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, featuring a $4 million guaranteed prize pool and forming the centrepiece of the summer poker calendar.

The 2026 edition represents a $1 million increase year-on-year, continuing a growth trend that has seen the event expand significantly since its debut. The championship will run from 29 June to 4 July 2026 as part of the wider ARIA Poker Classic series.

Tournament structure

The No-Limit Hold’em event carries a $3,500 buy-in, with two starting flights scheduled for 1 July and 2 July. Survivors combine on 3 July, before the final table is played out on 4 July.

The championship sits within a broader festival running from 29 May to 13 July, with live satellites at the ARIA Poker Room offering entry from as low as $160 in the lead-up to the event.

Strong growth trajectory

The tournament has expanded rapidly since its launch in 2022, when it attracted 343 entries and a $1.1 million prize pool. By 2025, it had grown to 1,853 entries, generating a $5.9 million actual prize pool — nearly double the $3 million guarantee.

The 2026 guarantee of $4 million reflects continued confidence in participation levels, with previous editions consistently exceeding their guaranteed floors.

Operator and venue comments

BetMGM Director of Poker, David Mileaf, said: “Summer in Las Vegas is where the poker world convenes, and the BetMGM Poker Championship is the centrepiece for us. The partnership between BetMGM and MGM Resorts gives players access to venues and experiences that simply can’t be replicated.”

MGM Resorts International Executive Director of Poker Strategy & Development, Sean McCormack, added: “Combining BetMGM’s online reach with our ARIA guest experience, we’ve created something that truly resonates with today’s player and the overall championship atmosphere.”

Online qualification routes

Players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan can qualify online via two main pathways:

• Direct championship seats through weekly qualifiers starting from $10 or $25, with higher-tier finals at $100 and $250
• $7,200 travel packages covering tournament entry, accommodation at ARIA, and $500 cash, through a stepped satellite system beginning at $5 and $50

The online qualification window closes on 23 June, with a final satellite weekend running from 21 to 23 June. Tournament results will be submitted to the Global Poker Index and The Hendon Mob, with live coverage provided exclusively via Poker.org.