The 2026 NorCal poker tournament calendar is taking shape, and there's meaningful action coming to card rooms across the region. Here's a rundown of confirmed events and what to watch for throughout the year.

Bay 101 Rising Star Series (Active Now)

Bay 101 · San Jose · February 20 – March 2, 2026

The Rising Star Tournament Series is currently running at Bay 101. Multiple events across ten days, with buy-ins at various levels and a $3,300 Main Event. Satellites available. Full schedule on PokerAtlas.

This is a good warm-up series for players preparing for larger events later in the year — competitive enough to matter, accessible enough that recreational players can find their level.

Lucky Chances Battle of the Bay

Lucky Chances · Colma · April 9–13, 2026

The Battle of the Bay returns to Lucky Chances in the spring. This annual series draws strong local turnout from Peninsula and San Francisco players. Multiple events with varying buy-ins across the five-day run. Buy-in and prize pool details to be announced as the event approaches.

For Bay Area players who want serious tournament action without traveling out of the region, Battle of the Bay has become a reliable destination event.

Lucky Chances Summer Series

Lucky Chances · Colma · August 3–10, 2026

Lucky Chances follows up with a summer series in August. Similar format to the spring series — multi-event, multiple buy-in levels. A good option for the mid-year lull when the major WPT stops are between seasons.

WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship

Bay 101 · San Jose · October 2026 (exact dates TBD)

The biggest poker event in Northern California returns for another year. The WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship is a legitimate major stop — the $5,300 Main Event features bounties on touring professionals, and the final table has historically been played in Las Vegas.

For 2025, the event ran October 17 – November 2 with a December 19 final table in Las Vegas. The 2026 dates haven't been announced yet, but expect a similar fall window.

If you're playing one major event in NorCal this year, this is the one. The bounty structure adds an element that's genuinely fun beyond standard tournament poker — and beating a WPT pro's bounty is a story you'll tell for years.

Daily & Recurring Events

Several rooms offer consistent daily tournament action worth knowing about:

• Bay 101: Daily noon tournament, $200 buy-in, 20,000 chips. Register by 10:45 AM. Re-entry varies by event.
• Capitol Casino: Daily 10 AM (Mon–Sat) and 11 AM (Sunday). Sacramento's best option for regular tournament play.
• Lucky Chances: Regular $165–$300 events throughout the week. Call ahead for the current schedule.

What We're Watching

A few items to track as the year progresses:

California Grand Casino: No major tournament series announced yet, but the room's growing profile — including the East Bay Times Best Local Casino award — makes it a candidate for a dedicated series. Worth watching.

New room announcements: California's card room market occasionally sees new entrants and expansions. We'll cover any significant announcements as they happen.

Tournament schedules are subject to change. Always verify dates and structures directly with the card room before making travel plans. Full schedules available on PokerAtlas and individual room websites.