The World Poker Tour will bring a major live poker series to South Korea this fall, featuring 46 events and a KRW 1 billion guaranteed championship at the new INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon
The World Poker Tour has confirmed that WPT Seoul will take place at the INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea, from October 30 to November 9, 2026. This marks the first time the series will be held at the newly opened venue, which features the YY Poker Club and a 70-table poker room. The festival is set to offer 46 live events over 11 days, including a headline championship with a KRW 1,000,000,000 guaranteed prize pool.
Festival Schedule and Key Events
The WPT Seoul schedule includes a wide range of tournament formats and buy-in levels, starting at KRW 300,000 and reaching up to KRW 8,000,000 for high roller events. The main highlight is the WPT Seoul INSPIRE Championship, which features a KRW 1,750,000 buy-in and a KRW 1 billion guarantee (approximately $715,000). Other notable events include the Championship Warm Up with a KRW 100 million guarantee, multiple Mystery Bounty tournaments, and a series of high roller and PLO events. The schedule is designed to appeal to both recreational and professional players, with daily satellites and a mix of NLH, PLO, and specialty formats.
Venue Features and Player Experience
The INSPIRE Entertainment Resort is positioned as a major new destination for live poker in Asia. The YY Poker Club offers a dedicated livestream studio and a modern tournament environment. Beyond poker, the resort includes a 1,275-room hotel, a 15,000-seat arena, an indoor waterpark, shopping, and a variety of dining and entertainment options. The property is located adjacent to Incheon International Airport, making it accessible for international players. Organizers have announced that preferential hotel rates will be available for a limited time to festival participants.
Player Access and Practical Details
Players interested in attending WPT Seoul can review the full event schedule, which details start times, buy-ins, and guarantees for each tournament. Registration is expected to be available on-site at the YY Poker Club, with daily satellites providing additional entry opportunities. The festival will also feature a Welcome Players Party and nightly entertainment at the resort's lounges. As with all major live poker events, players should review the official WPT and INSPIRE Entertainment Resort websites for the latest information on event structures, registration procedures, and accommodation offers.
Poker tournament guarantees represent the minimum total prize pool that organizers commit to for a given event. If player entries do not meet the guarantee through buy-ins, the organizer is responsible for covering the shortfall, known as an overlay. Conversely, if entries exceed the guarantee, the prize pool increases accordingly. Guarantees are a common feature in major live poker series and are used to attract player interest and provide clarity on potential payouts. However, actual prize pools may vary based on final registration numbers and re-entry policies.
