Global Poker Awards Ends: What Does It Mean for Poker's Oscars?

On Thursday, November 13, the Global Poker Index (GPI) along with The Hendon Mob database announced the cancellation of the 2026 GPA gala. The main reason is the enormous amount of time the small GPI/THM production team devotes to preparing the ceremony. Nonetheless, they confirmed that the GPI Player of the Year and The Hendon Mob Award will continue. To understand why this news stings, we need to rewind over two decades.

From Helsinki to Hollywood

The history of today's Global Poker Awards doesn't start in Las Vegas, but in Europe. As early as 2001, the first European Poker Awards were held at the RAY casino in Helsinki – the first serious attempt to honor the best European poker players and personalities with a dedicated gala. The European Poker Awards gradually moved among prestigious European destinations like Paris, Deauville, and Monte Carlo, becoming a staple of the European scene. They spotlighted names like Marcel Lüske, Tony G, Patrik Antonius, and later Adrián Mateos, who carried away titles like Player of the Year or Rookie of the Year.

In 2014, an important breakthrough came – the Global Poker Index acquired the rights to the European Poker Awards and simultaneously announced the launch of the American Poker Awards. The first edition of the American version took place in February 2015 in Los Angeles, already with the ambition to create a global poker awards system. The American Poker Awards brought together stars from WSOP, WPT, and other major series with media, commentators, and organizers. These were the years when awards were picked up by Daniel Negreanu, Dan Colman, Vanessa Selbst, and Joey Ingram – showcasing that the poker industry could put on a big show even without cards on the table.

The Birth of the Global Poker Awards in Las Vegas

The logical step was to merge the European and American branches into one global gala. In 2019, the first Global Poker Awards took place in the PokerGO studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The premiere distributed 20 trophies and presented a clear concept: one evening that celebrates the entire spectrum of the poker world – from high stakes stars to mid-major tours, streamers, vloggers, and photographers. Trophies went to players like Alex Foxen, Kristen Bicknell, John Cynn, as well as personalities like Maria Ho and Andrew Neeme.

The second edition took place in March 2020, again at the PokerGO studio, with the number of awarded categories reaching 25, including the first Poker ICON Award for Johnny Chan and two awards for Joey Ingram. Then the pandemic hit. The 2021 ceremony was canceled due to Covid, and the Global Poker Awards took a two-year break. Upon returning in 2022, the third edition became a symbol of the 'poker restart' and once again filled the PokerGO studio.

Six Editions, Hundreds of Stories

For many players, a title like GPI Player of the Year or Poker ICON became as prestigious as another major title in their CV – with the difference being it required year-round consistency, panel voting, and often fan votes. For media, streamers, and photographers, it was essentially the only global platform where their work was recognized before the entire industry.

For players like Bin Weng, Kristen Foxen, and Nick Pupillo, winning GPI Player of the Year or Mid-Major Player of the Year signified formal acknowledgment of their dominance in the season. For legends like Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, awards like Poker ICON and lifetime achievement accolades were symbolic standing ovations from the entire community.

And for festival organizers – from the WSOP Main Event to Wynn Millions or WPT Prime – a trophy for Best Event or Best Mid-Major Tour was proof that investing in quality pays off, even reputationally. Thus, the Global Poker Awards naturally earned the label 'poker Oscars' – not as a marketing gimmick, but because they reflected the entire industry and told its stories once a year.

An Unexpected Shock - 2026 Edition Canceled

The Thursday announcement by GPI/THM that the Global Poker Awards won't be held in 2026 was a bigger surprise. The official statement cited several reasons, with two being key – time consumption and prioritization of other projects. According to GPI/THM president Eric Danis, the entire awards process requires about two months of intensive work from two team members, during which they practically drop out of regular GPI and The Hendon Mob operations. They want to direct their time and resources into developing data services, rankings, online projects, and other activities that operate year-round, not just one night.

Danis also admitted that the team will “miss doing such a show,” but in the current phase of the organization, the decision is necessary. However, it's important to add that the GPI Player of the Year and The Hendon Mob Award will continue. GPI/THM intends to keep recognizing players who dominate the yearly rankings, as well as special personalities who make a mark on the live scene worldwide.

What Comes Next?

The cancellation of the Global Poker Awards raises several questions:

• Who will take over as the main gala of the poker industry?
• Will any major series – such as WSOP, WPT, or PokerGO Tour – attempt to create their own broader awards concept?
• Or will poker simply stick to rankings, titles, and trophies from individual events without a single shared 'Oscar night'?

Whether the Global Poker Awards will return in some new form is something even GPI cannot predict today. What is certain is that the poker world has lost one of its most beautiful and symbolic nights – and that the trophies already awarded have gained even more prestige.

Sources – GlobalPokerIndex, TheHendonMob, X