PokerStars Sets $18M GTD New Year Series for 2026

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Sun Dec 28, 2025, 8:00 am ET

Read Time: 3 minutes

PokerStars Sets $18M GTD New Year Series for 2026

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PokerStars is gearing up to launch one of its most exciting online festivals as it ushers in 2026 with a massive $18M GTD New Year Series. 

The world's largest online poker operator has revealed plans for a packed schedule from January 1 to 20, 2026, filled with hundreds of events designed to appeal to players of all experience levels. 

This upcoming series promises to attract attention from across the globe, including those who follow US online poker sites.

Mechanics and Events of the PokerStars $18M GTD New Year Series

PokerStars' New Year Series returns with a deep lineup featuring 144 numbered events and 317 total tournaments spread across three distinct buy-in tiers: Low, Medium, and High. This structure echoes the familiar format seen in PokerStars' major online festivals, ensuring accessibility for recreational players and challenge for high-stakes competitors. 

The series officially launches on January 1, 2026, and runs through January 20, 2026. Throughout this period, players can enjoy a variety of game formats, including classic No-Limit Hold'em, Progressive Knockouts, Mystery Bounties, and more specialized variants. Buy-ins range from just $2.20 to $5,200, offering something for every bankroll and playing style. 

Highlights include some of the most popular tournaments on the calendar. On January 4, the iconic $109 Sunday Million with a $1 million guarantee returns alongside a $22 Mini Sunday Million Mystery Bounty Special. 

Play continues with a $75 Sunday Special PKO on January 11. The action climaxes on January 18, when three major Main Events take center stage: the $109 Main Event Low (Mystery Bounty) with a $1 million guarantee, the $1,050 Medium Main Event PKO with $500,000, and the $5,200 High Main Event also guaranteeing $500,000 in prizes. 

Players can also earn their way into events through a robust satellite system, with qualifiers starting at minimal buy-ins. This inclusion creates additional paths for newcomers to gain entry into high-value tournaments, broadening the competitive field.

A Look Back: Previous New Year Series Editions

The 2026 New Year Series builds on several successful editions that have become staples on the online poker calendar. 

In past years, the festival has produced dramatic narratives, including remarkable deep runs and life-changing scores from low-buy-in qualifiers. For instance, in earlier series editions, players turned modest satellite entries into five-figure wins, highlighting the unpredictable excitement these tournaments offer. 

Notably, this year's edition remains entirely within the New Year timeframe, a subtle but meaningful shift from previous seasons that spanned the holidays. 

This focus on a dedicated early-January window aligns with PokerStars' broader strategy of elevating its tournament schedule in concert with major events across global US online poker sites and international platforms. 

As anticipation builds, players around the world prepare to log in and chase their share of the $18 million prize pool, making PokerStars' New Year Series a standout way to begin the 2026 poker year.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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