WSOP adds additional stops to international circuit

(PRESS RELEASE) -- While the thirteenth season of the WSOP Circuit is off to a great start both domestically and internationally, it was always the WSOP's intent to add events to the growing international calendar.

The recently completed stop in Brazil featured the largest ever WSOP-branded event outside the U.S. when 2,981 entrants participated in the opening event.

Now, six additional stops are confirmed to be part of this season's Circuit International schedule.

They are:
-Sydney, Australia - 22 November-12 December 2016 - The Star
-Marrakech, Morocco - 14-22 January 2017 - Casino de Marrakech & Hotel Es Saadi
-Campione, Italy - 6-20 March 2017 - Casino Municipale di Campione d'Italia
-Cannes, France - 17-24 April 2017 - Casino Barrière de Cannes Croisette
-Estoril, Portugal - 1-7 May 2017 - Casino Estoril
-Brussels, Belgium - 19-28 May 2017 - Grand Casino Brussels Viage

Additionally, one additional stop may be added to round out the 2016-17 International schedule. If all events planned do come to fruition, the WSOP International Circuit will reach its previously announced target of 14 stops for the season.

The entire schedule for the WSOP International Circuit is available on the WSOP website.

"We are very pleased to add these additional stops to the WSOP Circuit," said WSOP Director Gregory Chochon, who leads the WSOP's international expansion plans. "We have been very judicious on which locales and casinos we will work with and believe we have found terrific partners in each of these markets to help bring the WSOP brand to a local and regional audience."

Like the domestic circuit, the International track will feature two qualifiers per stop for the WSOP Global Casino Championship. A Main Event winner and the Casino Champion will each win automatic entry into the season-culminating event, in addition to the gold WSOP Circuit ring and prize money from that event. The International and Domestic tours collide in the season-culminating Global Casino Championship in the summer of 2017. There are no "at-large" qualifications on the International stops.

Speaking of the domestic circuit, one recent change has been made. The announced Circuit event at Bally's - Las Vegas scheduled for 23 February to 6 March has seen both a change of venue and dates.

The event will now be hosted at the home of the WSOP, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and the dates of the event are now scheduled from 16-27 February, 2017. The remaining 21 stops on the 2016-17 WSOP Circuit are still taking place as previously announced.

Players can qualify for the 2016/17 Global Casino Championship several ways: Win a Circuit Main Event at any domestic or international stop; win a "Casino Championship," which is defined as the player at each stop who accumulates the most points throughout the 12-event gold ring schedule at any domestic or international stop; be one of the top 50 cumulative point earners over the entire season who hasn't otherwise qualified (domestic tour only). Each of these projected 122 players will receive a "free roll" seat into the culminating event.

Another way to enter the 2016-17 Global Casino Championship during the Circuit Season is to win any official "ring event." Anyone who doesn't otherwise qualify for entry due to an automatic invite or cumulative standings will be eligible to buy-in to the WSOP Global Casino Championship for $10,000. Likewise, the top 100 ranked players from the previous year's WSOP Player of the Year, may also buy in for $10,000. Every penny of all additional $10,000 buy-ins will be added to the $1 million the WSOP is putting into the prize pool.

Circuit schedules are subject to change. Stops may be added or removed. For more information on individual circuit events, including event schedules and structure sheets, can be found at each property website or by visiting the WSOP website. The WSOP Circuit Events and culminating championship are subject to tournament rules and restrictions to be released at a later date. The timing, number and location of events are subject to change and all applicable gaming regulations.