WSOP seeking to break Main Event record with first-ever "Maynia" qualification weekend

After falling just 110 entries short of The Main Event record in 2022, the 54th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) is going all-in to shatter the record field of 8,773 set in 2006 with its first-ever Main Event Maynia Global Qualification Weekend, taking place on May 20 and 21.

The qualification weekend offers an unprecedented opportunity to secure a seat at the World Championship in Las Vegas, noted WSOP organizers. The Main Event is set to take place on the Las Vegas Strip at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, which returns from July 3 to July 17.

"History is only a few months away and Main Event Maynia is a big part of making sure this is the biggest field in the history of the WSOP," said World Series of Poker Executive Director Ty Stewart.

"The reigning Champion Espen Jorstad earned his Main Event seat by winning a satellite event, so there's plenty of reason to believe this year's champion might just be a regional player who wouldn't otherwise be heading to Vegas. Main Event Maynia is long overdue, and we thank our global network of satellite partners for giving players a chance to take their shot from their own backyard."  

The 54th annual #WSOP is going all-in to shatter the record field set in 2006 w/ the first-ever #MainEventMaynia on May 20-21. Several @CaesarsRewards destinations will participate for players to earn a seat at the Main Event.

Learn More: https://t.co/vVX7KT0vqa pic.twitter.com/3ZKbJ9CstD

— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) May 10, 2023

Live poker rooms at Caesars Entertainment destinations and partner casinos on four different continents – including North America, South America, Europe, and Africa – are joining forces to host Guaranteed Seat Satellite "Step" tournaments for Main Event Maynia with $140 buy-ins culminating with a guaranteed Main Event seat, a mega of $1,175 and a travel stipend to Las Vegas.

Should the Main Event attendance record be broken, all entrants in the field will be placed into a drawing that awards a non-transferable Main Event buy-in for the next 30 years, explained WSOP.

Main Event Maynia participating host destinations include the following:

Domestic Locations (all times local)

• Grand Victoria Casino Elgin
• Hard Rock Tulsa
• Harrah's Cherokee
• Harrah's Pompano Beach
• Horseshoe Council Bluffs
• Horseshoe Las Vegas
• Horseshoe St. Louis
• Horseshoe Tunica
• Thunder Valley Casino Resort
• Turning Stone Casino

International Locations (all times local)

• Deerfoot Inn & Casino Calgary (Canada)
• Enjoy Punta del Este Resort and Casino (Uruguay)
• King's Resort (Czech Republic)
• Playground Poker Club (Canada)