ClubWPT has officially kicked off the 2026 Player of the Year (POY) race, marking the beginning of a new competitive season on the platform. The annual competition is one of the most anticipated features of the ClubWPT tournament calendar and rewards consistent tournament performance across multiple events throughout the year.
According to the latest update from the platform, the 2026 POY race will include 34 prizes valued at more than $27,500, giving players multiple opportunities to earn rewards and recognition over the course of the season.
The first event that counts toward the POY leaderboard takes place this weekend, setting the stage for several months of competitive play.
First POY Event Begins With Sunday Funday Tournament:
The first POY-eligible tournament of the year will be the popular $4,000 Sunday Funday VIP Cash Giveaway, scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 4:00 PM ET.
This event is open to VIP members and represents the first opportunity for players to begin collecting points toward the Player of the Year leaderboard. Sunday Funday tournaments are a regular feature on the ClubWPT schedule and typically attract a large number of participants, making them an exciting start to the season-long POY competition.
For players aiming to compete in the Player of the Year race, early participation in these events can be important because the points accumulated throughout the year determine the final rankings.
How the 2026 POY Season Works:
The 2026 Player of the Year competition will run from March through October, with three qualifying events each month.
This structure allows players to accumulate points steadily across multiple tournaments rather than relying on a single major win. Both VIP and Diamond members are eligible to participate in POY events, making the competition accessible to a broad group of players within the ClubWPT community. As players participate in eligible tournaments and earn strong finishes, they collect leaderboard points that determine their position in the race.
By the end of the season, the top performers will earn prizes from the POY reward pool.
Additional Weekend Tournaments on the Schedule:
In addition to the opening POY event, ClubWPT has scheduled several other tournaments across the weekend.
The tournament lineup includes:
Friday, March 13
- $1,500 Friday the 13th Diamond Exclusive – 8:30 PM ET
- $1,500 Friday Night VIP Scare – 9:00 PM ET
Saturday, March 14
- $2,500 Diamond Cash Knockout – 6:30 PM ET
- $2,000 Saturday Night VIP Special – 8:00 PM ET
Sunday, March 15
- $4,000 Sunday Funday VIP Cash Giveaway – 4:00 PM ET
- $5,000 Cash Diamond Double Stack – 5:30 PM ET
These events form part of ClubWPT’s regular weekend tournament schedule and provide multiple opportunities for members to participate in competitive online poker games.
March Diamond Challenge Continues:
Another event currently running on the platform is the March $10,000 Cash Diamond Challenge.
This series includes a limited final tournament scheduled for March 29, where $2,500 cash will be awarded to the first-place finisher. According to the latest update, 140 seats have already been claimed, leaving 260 remaining spots available for players hoping to qualify for the final event.
Satellite tournaments continue throughout the month, giving players additional chances to secure a seat in the challenge.
Opportunity to Qualify for Major Live Events:
ClubWPT also highlighted another opportunity available to players through the Super SATurdays program.
During the weekly Super SATurdays qualifier, scheduled at 7:00 PM ET, five players can win seats to the WPT Prime Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. The WPT Prime Championship is one of the largest events on the World Poker Tour calendar. In the previous edition of the tournament, Aaron Johnson captured the title and a prize exceeding $1 million.
Through the qualifier structure, ClubWPT members have a chance to compete for entry into this prestigious live event.
Final Thoughts:
With the launch of the 2026 Player of the Year competition, ClubWPT has introduced another season of leaderboard competition for its online poker community. The combination of monthly qualifying events, a structured points race, and a prize pool worth more than $27,500 makes the POY series one of the most significant seasonal competitions on the platform.
As the first POY event begins with the Sunday Funday tournament, players who want to compete in the leaderboard race will now have their first opportunity to start building points for the season ahead. If you are interested in the platform, you can read our complete ClubWPT Gold Guide 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. ClubWPT operates as a sweepstakes-based poker entertainment platform, and eligibility or participation rules may vary depending on location and official platform policies. This content does not promote gambling or financial wagering. Readers are encouraged to review the official ClubWPT terms and conditions before participating in any tournaments or promotions.