The new season will officially begin on January 1
The Major Series of Poker (MSPT): The Tour is set to ring in the new year with the launch of its 17th season at the Venetian Las Vegas. The opening stop will be part of the Venetian’s DeepStack Extravaganza, which runs from late December through mid-January and traditionally draws a large mix of traveling pros and local players.
Season 17 officially begins with the $1,600 buy-in New Year’s Poker Open, a four-day event running from January 1-4, 2026. The tournament carries a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool and features a player-friendly structure, starting stacks of 40,000 chips, and 40-minute blind levels.
The event will offer three starting flights. Day 1A kicks off on New Year’s Day, followed by Day 1B on Friday and Day 1C on Saturday. Each flight begins late morning, with registration open well into the afternoon. All surviving players will return on Sunday to play down to a champion.
The Venetian has hosted past MSPT season openers with strong results. Last year’s kickoff event drew more than 400 entries and produced a first-time tour winner, continuing the series’ reputation for creating breakout moments early in the season.
Players looking to qualify at a lower cost will have several chances through milestone satellites starting December 30. Additional satellites will run daily leading up to the main event, giving budget-conscious grinders multiple paths into the field.
The opening week also includes a special side attraction. A $200 Grinder’s Bounty tournament on December 29 will feature reigning WSOP Main Event champion Michael Mizrachi, complete with a cash bounty for anyone able to eliminate him. With a full schedule and a festive setting, the MSPT’s return to Las Vegas sets a lively tone for the year ahead.
