The World Poker Tour (WPT) has announced plans to return to The Commerce Casino in 2027 for the LA Poker Classic, sparking the revival of one of the most storied events in the tour's history – the WPT LAPC Championship.
The WPT LAPC festival will run from January 15 to March 7, with the WPT LAPC Championship serving as the flagship tournament from February 26 to March 3. The $10,000 buy-in freezeout event was a fixture on the WPT schedule for nearly two decades and produced no shortage of memorable moments – including the crowning of some of poker's most recognizable names.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership between the two entities came to an end.
In the years since then, the LAPC has, unfortunately, seen numbers dwindle. The 2026 LAPC Main Event, for example, drew a field of only 50 entrants.
With the WPT back in the fold, the festival will hopefully return to its glory days.
In celebration of the event's return, The Commerce Casino plans to award hundreds of seats to the WPT LAPC Championship through various giveaways, promotions, and satellite tournaments.
The complete Season 25 WPT LAPC schedule will be released soon, along with additional information about qualifying opportunities.
A storied history of champions
The LAPC Championship was part of the WPT's inaugural season, back in 2003, and has seen several notable names within the poker community rise above the field to become champion.
Gus Hansen burst onto the scene with a win that first year, taking home the top prize of a little over $530K. Antonio Esfandiari followed in 2004 before Michael 'The Grinder' Mizrachi took the crown in 2005.
Phil Ivey stole the show in 2008, lording over a final table that included Phil Hellmuth to claim his first WPT title.
In 2014, Chris Moorman established himself as a force be reckoned with in the live poker arena by taking home the $1,045,160 prize in his first major win. Anthony Zinno won it in 2015 and David 'ODB' Baker topped the field in 2019.
David 'ODB' Baker wrote himself into the storied history of the WPT LAPC Championship in 2019. “The LAPC holds an incredibly important place in the history of the World Poker Tour, " said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “Our partnership with The Commerce Hotel & Casino helped create countless memorable moments over the years, and we are proud to return in Season 25 and build upon that remarkable legacy together.”
Images courtesy of Joe Giron/World Poker Tour
