The 2026 Pure Poker Tour (PPT) season is nearly underway, with the opening series set to run at Pure Casino Edmonton from Feb 22 – Mar 8. As usual, the series action kicks off with a week of satellite play alternating between the Argyle facility and Pure Casino Yellowhead.
Trophy games get going on Feb 26, with the traditional 50+ game at noon, plus an open NLH event running at 4 PM. That starts 11 days of poker action at Argyle, culminating in the final day of the Main Event, along with the Last Chance for a trophy, running on Sunday, March 8.
Players can expect a bit of the same, as well as some new, when they check out the schedule for the first series of 2026. While many of the most popular games are still on the schedule, there are a few significant changes from previous rosters, which I will get into in detail below.
One big new addition this year, or rather a reintroduction — the Player of the Series is back for 2026! There is also a larger $10k Player of the Year competition that covers the entirety of 2026, including Monthly Deepstacks & PPT results, but after a couple of years’ absence, each series in 2026 will award $2,500 in value to the top point scorer for that series.
Some Old, Some New
The first schedule of 2026 shows a combination of old & new. The opening 50+ game is back (however, note that restricted-entry games like Seniors, Team, or Ladies, don’t count towards PoY or PoS points), along with the traditional two multi-day games.
Both versions of the Deepstack Hyper format return for the opening series this year, games that were very well attended in the 2025 season, where they debuted. And, of course, the series closes with the final day of the Main Event, along with the Last Chance NLH game.
But amongst those familiar offerings, there’s some newness to be found. The NLH/PLO Mix format has been moved from opening day for this one, with the second game on opening day now the $340 1st Chance NLH game. That Mix game now runs on Mar 2 at 6 PM.
The PKO format is also back in the game this series, with a $560 PKO game running on Mar 1. Including the NLH/PLO Mix on Mar 2, there are four chances for the four-card lovers to get their game on, with an $1,100 PLO Main Event capping that off to replace the High Roller from previous years. The Team game has also been dropped from this opening series, replaced by the $340 4th Chance NLH game.
Return of the Player of the Series with $2,500 Up for Grabs
2026 marks the return of the Player of the Series race. Each series in 2026 will offer $2,500 in cash & prizes for the best performer across the series schedule.
Points are awarded to players for ITM finishes during the series, with buy-in, field size, and finishing position all playing into the points calculation. That means winning the Main Event is worth more than any other trophy, due to the expected field size and premium buy-in. After all 17 events are complete, the top combined points earner will get $2k in cash, plus $500 worth of Pure merch and food.
Points earned during PPT series also count towards the larger Player of the Year race. That race has $10k in value up top, and includes points earned in all five PPT series, as well as monthly Deepstack games at the various Pure properties around Alberta.
The winner of the PoY competition for 2026 won’t have to worry about PPT bankroll in 2027 — the $10k prize covers the full slate of PPT series buy-ins for the 2027 season.
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