Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by Bala Kumar
Introduction
Aria poker tournaments cover more ground than almost any other room in Las Vegas, a recurring daily grind for regulars, a six-week summer festival with a $4 million guaranteed centerpiece, and a rotating calendar of televised high-stakes series run out of the attached PokerGO Studio.
This guide pulls all three into one place: the current daily schedule, a full breakdown of the 2026 Aria Poker Classic and how it actually played out, and what’s coming up next on the calendar.
1. Aria Poker Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
| Venue | Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas Strip |
| Daily Tournament | $160 (Sun–Thu) / $240 (Fri–Sat), 1:00 PM |
| Flagship Summer Series | Aria Poker Classic (May 27 – July 12, 2026) |
| Buy-ins | $300–$3,500 |
| Headline Event | BetMGM Poker Championship |
| High Roller Venue | PokerGO Studio |
| Events | Approximately 94 tournaments |
2. Aria Poker Tournament Rating & Review
| Category | Rating |
| Prestige & Popularity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Prize Pool Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Competition Level | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Accessibility (Daily Tournament) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Accessibility (Headline Events) | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
The daily tournament is genuinely open to anyone with a $160 buy-in and an afternoon free. The BetMGM Championship, by contrast, carries a $3,500 direct buy-in—accessible mainly through satellites starting as low as $160 live or $10 online.
3. Tournament Overview
| Details | Information |
| Organizer | Aria Resort & Casino (MGM Resorts) |
| Location | Aria Poker Room & PokerGO Studio |
| Classic Dates | May 27 – July 12, 2026 |
| Championship Dates | July 1 – 5, 2026 |
| Broadcast | PokerNews, Poker.org & PokerGO |
| Format | Daily tournaments + 94-event summer series |
4. Buy-in & Entry Details
| Category | Details |
| Daily Tournament | $160 Sun–Thu / $240 Fri–Sat |
| Classic Buy-ins | $300–$3,500 |
| Championship | $3,500 |
| Live Satellites | $160–$240 |
| Online Satellites | From $10 |
5. Prize Pool & Payout History
| Year | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | First Prize |
| 2022 | 343 | $1.1M | — | — |
| 2025 | 1,853 | $5.9M | Nguyen Le | $777,777 |
| 2026 | 1,512 | ~$4.8M | Josh Mammen | $481,180* |
Note: The 2026 payout reflects a five-way chop. Josh Mammen received an additional $50,000, while the remaining four finalists each earned $431,180.
The BetMGM Poker Championship has exceeded its guarantee every year since launch, making satellites one of the best-value ways to qualify.
6. Tournament Format & Structure
| Format Details | Information |
| Game Type | No-Limit Hold’em plus mixed games |
| Starting Stack | 20,000 chips |
| Blind Levels | 20 minutes |
| Championship Structure | Two Day 1 flights |
| Duration | Five days |
7. Special Features
| Feature | Description |
| PokerGO Studio | Home of Poker Masters, U.S. Poker Open, PokerGO Cup |
| Table One | Aria’s famous high-stakes cash game |
| Online Qualification | BetMGM Poker satellites |
| Growing Guarantees | Increased from $1.1M to $4M |
8. Player Field & Competition Level
| Category | Details |
| Player Types | Recreational players, grinders & professionals |
| Daily Field | Varies by day |
| Championship Field | 1,500–1,850+ entries |
| Skill Level | Mixed daily; tougher championship fields |
9. Aria Poker Strategy Tips
- Build a stack early in daily tournaments because the structure moves quickly.
- Live satellites usually offer better value than buying directly into the Championship.
- Many players qualify online and have limited live tournament experience.
- Monitor guarantee growth since actual prize pools frequently exceed expectations.
10. Step-by-Step Guide on How to Play
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1 | Get an MGM Rewards Card | Required for registration |
| 2 | Choose Your Tournament | Daily or Classic |
| 3 | Register | Direct entry or satellite |
| 4 | Online Qualification | Available via BetMGM Poker |
| 5 | Play Aggressively Early | Fast structure rewards chip accumulation |
| 6 | Track Prize Pools | Guarantees are often exceeded |
11. Upcoming 2026 Schedule
| Event | Dates | Status |
| Daily Tournament | Every Day | Ongoing |
| Poker Masters | Sept. 25 – Oct. 7 | Upcoming |
| Poker Masters Satellites | 1–2 weeks before | Upcoming |
| PGT Championship | Late 2026 | TBA |
| Next Aria Poker Classic | May 2027 | Projected |
Poker Masters is officially scheduled for September 25–October 7, 2026, making it the next major event after the conclusion of the 2026 Aria Poker Classic and BetMGM Poker Championship.
12. BetMGM Poker Championship: Past Champions
| Year | Winner | Entries | Prize Pool | First Prize |
| 2022 | — | 343 | $1.1M | — |
| 2025 | Nguyen Le | 1,853 | $5.9M | $777,777 |
| 2026 | Josh Mammen | 1,512 | ~$4.8M | $481,180 (Five-way Chop) |
Nguyen Le’s 2025 victory remains one of the tournament’s most memorable stories after recovering from a single chip at the final table to win the championship.
13. Conclusion
Aria’s poker tournaments offer one of the broadest tournament schedules in Las Vegas, combining affordable daily events, a prestigious summer festival, and some of the world’s biggest televised high-roller tournaments.
With the 2026 Aria Poker Classic now complete and Josh Mammen crowned BetMGM Poker Championship winner, attention shifts to Poker Masters this fall before preparations begin for next year’s Classic.
Players planning a Las Vegas poker trip should also explore PokerClubGames’ guides covering Las Vegas poker rooms, the WSOP 2026 schedule, and poker hand analysis tools to prepare for live tournament play.
FAQs
What is the current daily tournament schedule at Aria?
Aria runs a daily No-Limit Hold’em tournament beginning at 1:00 PM, with a $160 buy-in Sunday through Thursday and $240 Friday and Saturday. Players start with 20,000 chips, and the guarantee is currently $4,000.
Who won the 2026 BetMGM Poker Championship at Aria?
Josh Mammen defeated Erik Eisen heads-up after a field of 1,512 entries. The final five players agreed to a chop, with Mammen receiving $481,180 while the remaining four each earned $431,180.
When did the 2026 Aria Poker Classic run?
The 2026 Aria Poker Classic ran from May 27 through July 12, featuring roughly 94 tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $300 to $3,500.
What high-roller series is coming up next at Aria?
The next confirmed series is Poker Masters, scheduled for September 25 through October 7, 2026, at the PokerGO Studio.
Can I qualify for Aria’s biggest tournaments online?
Yes. Players in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario can qualify through BetMGM Poker satellites starting from $10, with packages that include tournament entry, hotel accommodations, and travel credit.
