Playground Sets New Record for the WSOP Circuit Main Event Prize Pool

mrinal-gujare
By Mrinal Gujare
06 Apr 2026
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Mrinal Gujare 06 Apr 2026
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  • Playground Montreal hosts a $4M CAD prize pool for WSOP 2026, 2nd largest in history.
  • Event drew 1,781 entries with growing international participation.
  • Upcoming Super Circuit series plans a $10M CAD prize pool in August.
WSOPC Playground
Image Credit: Playground Poker Facebook
Playground Montreal continues its historic run, hosting a massive $4 million CAD prize pool for the 2026 WSOP Circuit. This landmark event ranks as the second-largest in Circuit history, further establishing Canada as a premier global destination for competitive poker.

Playground in Montreal, Canada, remains the undisputed standard-bearer for massive WSOP Circuit Main Event fields. The venue recently celebrated its second-ever $4 million CAD plus prize pool, proving that the appetite for high-stakes poker in the Great White North is only growing.

After a staggering 902 entries during the third and final starting flight on Saturday, the total field reached 1,781 entries. This generated a total prize pool of $4,042,870 CAD (approximately $2,899,093 USD).

This incredible turnout eclipses the $2,763,360 prize pool recorded at Harrah’s Cherokee in February, making it the largest Main Event prize pool of 2026 on the WSOP Circuit so far. It also secures its spot as the second-largest in the history of the WSOP Circuit.

While this event was monumental, Playground’s own record from last August still holds the top spot. That event drew 1,978 entries to build a $4,450,500 CAD prize pool, which was equivalent to $3,237,454 USD at the time.

During that record-breaking week, Jacob Hobday of Toronto etched his name into the history books. He walked away with a massive $620,000 CAD ($448,000 USD) first prize. Remarkably, Hobday earned his seat through a modest $75 satellite on GGPoker, proving that the dream of a life-changing score is alive and well.

The winner of the current event is set to earn a payday very close to Hobday’s, with the champion expected to take home $600,000 CAD.

"We did it again, and we’re going to continue to do it," said Andrew Johnson, Playground’s Assistant Director of Poker Operations. He suggested that this success is merely the beginning for the GPI award-winning venue in 2026.

"We have a strategy, and this first quarter Circuit series is part of the bigger scope and the bigger strategy we have going forward," Johnson added. "So, we’re really proud and excited for this event and this prize pool specifically and the events coming forward."

Attracting International Talent

Word of the Canadian poker hotbed has spread far and wide. Players are no longer just coming from across Canada; they are flocking from the United States as well.

Los Angeles-based professional David Uvaydov was among those spotted in Saturday’s Day 1C field. Uvaydov made the trip up from New York while visiting family specifically to play. 

He was encouraged by his friend Dan Stavila, who found success at Playground in 2024 by reaching both the WPT Prime and and Main Tour final tables.

WSOP Circuit Main Event Prize Pools

Event Location Date Prize Pool (USD) Prize Pool (Local Currency)
Playground Aug-25 $3,237,454 USD $4,450,500 CAD
Playground Apr-26 $2,899,093 USD $4,042,870 CAD
Great Canadian Toronto Apr-25 $2,691,614 USD $3,743,250 CAD

Looking Ahead to a $10 Million Guarantee

The momentum at Playground shows no signs of slowing down. Another WSOP Circuit series is scheduled to return in less than six weeks. Even more exciting is the announcement of the first-ever Canadian WSOP Super Circuit series set for late August.

This upcoming series will feature a $5,000 buy-in Main Event with a staggering $10 million CAD guaranteed prize pool. "It’s going to be the biggest tournament Canada has ever seen, and that’s a fact," stated Johnson.

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