World Poker Tour Returns to NagaWorld with $1 Million Guaranteed Festival

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is set to make its return to NagaWorld in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for a significant 13-day poker festival scheduled from August 12 to 24, 2026. This event, branded as the WPT Cambodia Passport to the World Championship, promises a substantial $1 million in combined guaranteed prize pools across 70 different tournaments.

Main Event Highlights

At the heart of the festival is the WPT Cambodia Passport to the World Championship Main Event, which will run from August 20 to 24. This marquee tournament features a buy-in of $1,300 and boasts an impressive $500,000 guarantee. Crucially, the Main Event will also serve as a direct qualifying route for players aiming to compete in the prestigious WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas later in December 2026.

NagaWorld’s Established Role

NagaWorld has solidified its position as a key hub for live poker in Southeast Asia, consistently anchoring the WPT’s presence in Cambodia. The venue, Phnom Penh’s sole integrated resort, has been a reliable host for large-scale poker tournaments since 2019. The growing fields in Phnom Penh underscore the region’s increasing appetite for major poker events.

Busy Tournament Schedule

The festival will feature a packed schedule of 70 events, catering to a wide range of players and bankrolls. Satellites will be available for every guaranteed event, offering players more opportunities to enter the larger tournaments and potentially secure a seat in the Main Event. This strategic positioning aims to attract regional players looking to qualify for the season-ending WPT World Championship.

Previous Successes and Future Plans

This August festival marks the WPT’s second visit to NagaWorld in 2026, following an earlier WPT Cambodia event held in January and February. That preceding festival was a large-scale affair, comprising 138 tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $200 to $20,000. The WPT’s 2025 Cambodia festival saw remarkable participation, drawing over 10,000 entries and awarding more than $10 million in prize money. The $1,300 buy-in for the upcoming Main Event mirrors that of the July 2024 WPT Cambodia Main Event, which attracted 913 entries and generated a prize pool exceeding $1 million.

Global Tour Context

The WPT Cambodia Passport to the World Championship is part of a busy second half of the WPT Season 24 schedule. Other confirmed stops include WPT Cyprus in August, WPT Australia in September, and the WPT bestbet Scramble in Jacksonville. The season will culminate, as always, with the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas in December 2026.

WPT CEO Adam Pliska expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “The WPT Cambodia Passport to the World Championship provides players with an incredible opportunity to compete while enjoying one of the region’s premier poker destinations.”

About the World Poker Tour

Founded in 2002, the World Poker Tour is a globally recognized poker brand encompassing televised tournaments, online play, and mobile gaming. It has hosted live events in 48 countries, attracting over 400,000 participants and awarding more than $1.5 billion in prize money across its 24 seasons.

NagaWorld’s Operational Standing

NagaWorld is operated by NagaCorp, a Hong Kong-listed company. The operator holds a 70-year Cambodian casino license valid until 2065 and exclusive casino operating rights within a 200km radius of Phnom Penh until 2045, subject to specific exceptions.

Key facts
| Feature | Detail |
|—|—|
| Event | WPT Cambodia Passport to the World Championship |
| Dates | August 12-24, 2026 |
| Location | NagaWorld, Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Total Guarantees | $1 million across 70 events |
| Main Event Buy-in | $1,300 |
| Main Event Guarantee | $500,000 |
| World Championship Qualifier | Yes, Main Event qualifies for WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas |

This event offers a significant opportunity for players in Southeast Asia and beyond to compete in a major live poker festival, with the added allure of a direct path to one of the most prestigious events on the poker calendar.

Source: European Gaming – https://europeangaming.eu/portal/latest-news/2026/06/19/207464/wpt-returns-to-nagaworld-in-august-with-1m-guaranteed-festival/

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