The 57th World Sequence of Poker begins on Might 26 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. 4 days out, the largest story in poker has nothing to do with playing cards. It’s about what gamers are allowed to put on.
The WSOP rewrote Rule 52 for 2026. Each sponsored participant should now submit patch approval requests in writing at the least 24 hours upfront. Present up with an unapproved brand and also you face disqualification, forfeiture of your buy-in, and lack of any winnings.
Patrick Leonard, a CoinPoker ambassador, was the primary participant to publicly reveal his patch request was denied. His submit on X reached tens of millions of views and initially left his WSOP participation doubtful.
On Might 21, Leonard shared an replace: WSOP accepted a special sponsor, bitB, for his use on the collection. His CoinPoker patch stays denied, however Leonard confirmed he’ll play.
Patrick Leonard on X (Might 21, 2026): “Thanks @WSOP for not making it private and blocking different patches. Admire it and see you subsequent week!”
The story uncovered a query no person has answered in a single place: which manufacturers are accepted, that are banned, and what do you truly have to do?
This information breaks down the WSOP 2026 patch guidelines and the rule modifications particular to sponsorship: what modified from 2025, the accepted and denied model listing, the submission course of straight from the rulebook, and what this prices mid-stakes grinders financially. For the complete schedule, see our WSOP 2026 hub.
What Modified: Rule 52 in 2025 vs 2026
In 2025, Rule 52 was minimal. Gamers needed to signal a participant launch kind earlier than coming into an occasion, and that was it. No pre-approval for patches, no restrictions on what you may put on, and as much as three gamers from the identical sponsor might sit at a function desk.
The 2026 model is a full rewrite, triggered instantly by the 2025 Millionaire Maker scandal. ClubWPT Gold ran a promotion providing a $1 million bonus tied to bracelet wins for designated gamers carrying their patch. The heads-up between Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll ended with chip dumping accusations, no bracelet awarded, and each gamers banned for all times from Caesars properties.
