WPF Ladies Weekend Expands to at Least 14 Countries in October
The Oct. 16-18 program pairs local women’s tournaments with training, talks and networking, while London hosts a £20,000-guaranteed Women’s Classic.
The World Poker Federation’s Ladies Weekend returns Oct. 16-18, bringing women-only poker events and related activities to at least 14 countries. The second edition expands on last year’s inaugural weekend, which connected events in 10 countries and more than 15 cities.
The confirmed countries are Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Liechtenstein, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. SoMuchPoker reported that further countries and individual stops could still be added before the weekend begins.
Rather than running one central festival, the WPF Women’s Committee coordinates connected local events. Local organizers can tailor their own schedules, with tournaments supplemented by training sessions, talks, cash games, networking and social events. The WPF says it also wants feedback on barriers that may keep women from taking part in poker, while encouraging local media coverage.
The first Ladies Weekend, held Oct. 24-26, 2025, drew more than 1,500 women and generated more than 2,200 entries, according to the WPF. Its stated purpose was to strengthen women’s visibility in poker. Last year’s program also included panels, workshops and other activities focused on leadership, education and inclusion.
The Hippodrome Casino in central London hosts the UK’s only 2026 stop. Victoria Livschitz, Marle Spragg and Jennifer Shahade are scheduled to participate. Spragg will play a livestreamed cash game on Friday, Oct. 16, host a strategy session on Saturday, and enter the £300 Hippodrome Women’s Classic on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Women’s Classic carries a £20,000 guaranteed prize pool. Shahade is due to join the London program via Zoom to discuss her victory at the previous year’s Women’s Summer Festival at the Hippodrome. As previously reported, PokerStars is also awarding three seats to the same £300 Women’s Classic through its WCOOP Women’s World Championship.
Other confirmed locations include the Bellagio Poker Room in Las Vegas, H2 Poker Club in São Paulo, Pasino Grand Partouche in Aix-en-Provence, Monte Casino Sofia and City of Dreams Manila. Belgium’s Queens Millions has a €10,000 guarantee and a women’s league throughout October, while Israel’s first Ladies Weekend will include a two-day Main Event.
The WPF still hopes eventually to stage a global champion-of-champions event that brings together local winners from the various stops.
