After a long 12-year hiatus, we're about to witness the return of a tradition that once marked a highlight on the poker calendar. The National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHUPC) will showcase matches in the heads-up format, where players face off one-on-one. A total of 64 invited players will be placed in a single-elimination bracket akin to March Madness in basketball, meaning the winner of each match advances and the loser exits the tournament.
The tournament will unfold in an intense three-day format with a grand prize of $500,000 awaiting the victor. The competition will be in No-Limit Hold'em, where each round is a direct showdown for everything – a single misstep, and your path to the title ends. The payout structure is as follows:
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
| 1. | 500,000$ | 9. | 25,000$ |
| 2. | 275,000$ | 10. | 25,000$ |
| 3. | 150,000$ | 11. | 25,000$ |
| 4. | 150,000$ | 12. | 25,000$ |
| 5. | 75,000$ | 13. | 25,000$ |
| 6. | 75,000$ | 14. | 25,000$ |
| 7. | 75,000$ | 15. | 25,000$ |
| 8. | 75,000$ | 16. | 25,000$ |
The return of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship holds immense significance for the poker community. This televised tournament first aired in 2005, with the legendary Phil Hellmuth winning the inaugural edition by defeating Chris Ferguson in the final. Over the years, the heads-up championship became a prestigious event until 2013, when it vanished from the screens. Now, after a 12-year break, this iconic heads-up league is back, rekindling nostalgic rivalries and creating new narratives.
Star-Studded Lineup
The tournament will feature the absolute crème de la crème of the poker world. According to early reports, confirmed participants include names like Michael Mizrachi, Chris Moneymaker, Liv Boeree, Erik Seidel, and Jason Koon – poker legends adorned with WSOP bracelets and vast experience. Current generation stars like the Foxens and German phenomenon Fedor Holz will also join in. Among the women, we'll see the popular Maria Ho, and the current Global Poker Index leader Jesse Lonis won't be missing either. This mix of poker legends and hungry young talents all come prepared to battle for the coveted heads-up title.
Opening Round Highlights
Just a few days ago, we learned about the complete bracket, divided into 4 sections named after poker suits. The first round of the tournament promises extremely exciting matches set up by the draw:
- The most attention-grabbing is the clash between Jesse Lonis and Kristen Foxen – a matchup between the current GPI leader and the world's top-ranked female player, both having an outstanding year and considered favorites for the entire tournament.
- A return to the game is on the cards for the winner of the last heads-up championship in 2013, Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, who will face British phenomenon Stephen Chidwick, one of the world's best tournament players.
- This generation-spanning duel between veteran Erick Lindgren and Triton series record-holder Jason Koon attracts major interest. A meeting of a former poker boom star with one of today's most successful players promises a showdown between experience and the aggressive style of the new school.
- One of the most captivating clashes will be the encounter between Alan Keating and Shaun Deeb. Keating, known from high-stakes cash game shows, never hesitates to dive into huge pots and entertain viewers with unpredictable moves. Opposite him stands Deeb – a seasoned tournament ace and freshly minted WSOP Player of the Year.
- A symbolic duel of poker generations will feature Chris Moneymaker against Igor Kurganov. Moneymaker, a living legend and face of the poker boom, faces Kurganov, an analytical player with a GTO approach, known for his involvement in effective altruism and charity.
Here is the complete bracket:
Here is the full bracket for the National Heads-Up Poker Championship presented by @PokerStars, premiering on @Peacock later this year before becoming available to stream on PokerGO and PokerStars. pic.twitter.com/iFmnW1H1iQ
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) August 1, 2025
Sources: X, PGT, PokerScout, CardPlayer, PokerNews, Poker.org
