The World Series of Poker is moving its Tournament of Champions — a $1 million freeroll open to all winners of Circuit and bracelet events — to Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. The Tournament of Champions will take place May 22-24, and is officially part of the schedule of the WSOP Circuit series at Commerce that starts May 10.
The first event of the 55th WSOP series in Las Vegas starts May 28.
The Tournament of Champions is open to anyone who won a bracelet or a Circuit ring in the 2023/24 season, which runs from May to May. That includes all the bracelet winners from the 2023 WSOP.
Last year, the Tournament of Champions was held as a kick-off to the Series in Las Vegas. Ronnie Day, who won his way into the Tournament of Champions by taking down a $400 Circuit event at Caesars Southern Indiana just two weeks before it was held, outlasted 741 other champions for $200,000.
The year before, which was the first time it was held, it was the final event for all the winners, making it a convenient end-cap for those who managed to snag a bracelet or two during the summer.
The move is part of a partnership both WSOP and Commerce announced last week.
“For years, the Commerce has been the home of poker in Los Angeles and one of the leading card rooms in the world,” said Ty Stewart, Senior Vice President & Executive Director of the WSOP. “We look forward to kicking off our new strategic relationship with a special WSOP Circuit finale and the Tournament of Champions bracelet event. We also look forward to qualifying more players from Los Angeles for the WSOP Main Event than ever before.”
In previous years, the Bicycle Club was WSOP’s home to Circuit events in Los Angeles. That partnership seemingly ended last year.
“We are ecstatic to merge our strengths with the World Series of Poker,” said Spencer Villaseñor, Director of Guest Experience at the Commerce Casino said in a press release. “This collaboration marks the convergence of two giants in the poker world and presents endless possibilities. Together, we are committed to pushing boundaries and setting new standards of excellence in the industry.”
Both the WSOP and Commerce promised the partnership will lead to more WSOP-branded tourneys and provide players with unparalleled access to the world of competitive poker.
“Partnering with The Commerce Casino & Hotel is an exciting milestone for the WSOP,” said Ty Stewart, Senior Vice President & Executive Director of the WSOP in a press release. “Commerce’s reputation as the biggest and best year-round poker room aligns perfectly with our desire to expand the brand while also promoting the growth of the summer festival. We look forward to delivering exciting events and experiences that grow interest in our resilient and resurgent game.”
The Commerce and its poker staff have a lot of experience hosting larger poker series. It hosted World Poker Tour events from 2012 to 2020, and holds a full schedule of daily tournaments in its enormous poker room. With 20 tables, it’s the largest in the world.
