The season opener will take place on March 19, with several major athletes confirmed to participate
The Celebrity Poker Tour is returning to Las Vegas with its Season 3 opener, bringing another mix of athletes, entertainers, and online personalities to the poker table. The event is scheduled for March 19 and will take place inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino.
8 running backs pulling up at the 2026 Season Premiere Championship on March 19th 🏈🔥
It’s going to be a BIG night 💪
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.#celebritypoker #poker pic.twitter.com/sVJewsqttX— Celebrity Poker Tour (@celebpokertour) March 5, 2026
Since launching in 2023, the tour has aimed to blend poker with entertainment by inviting well-known figures from different industries. The upcoming championship continues that idea, with several high-profile names expected to compete for the title.
Among the participants are Super Bowl champions Skyy Moore and Antoine Winfield Jr., along with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Mackenzie Dern. UFC stars Henry Cejudo and Aljamain Sterling are also on the list, with Sterling returning after winning a Celebrity Poker Tour event in the Bahamas late last year.
Football talent will be well represented. Quarterback Will Levis and former NFL star Brandon Marshall are scheduled to play, along with Bud Dupree and a few other current and former league players. Organizers recently added Adrian Peterson, Austin Ekeler, Alexander Mattison, Scott Matlock, and Ray Davis to the lineup.
The roster also includes influencers and media personalities such as Tana Mongeau, Telli Swift, and India Love. Television fans may recognize Chumlee from the series Pawn Stars, while reality TV figure Chase Chrisley is also set to appear. Gambling content creator Frazier Kay is expected to join the field as well.
Celebrity Poker Tour events are known for their relaxed atmosphere compared with traditional high-stakes poker broadcasts. Players often interact with the crowd and with each other in ways rarely seen during serious tournament play, creating moments designed to entertain viewers.
Musicians and social media personalities have also been regular participants in past events. Previous seasons featured rappers and performers who brought a different audience to poker streams, helping expand the game’s reach online.
The reigning Celebrity Poker Tour champion is NFL defensive back Josh Norman. Influencers King and Suede Brooks and YouTube creator Ethan Klein were also among last year’s winners.
