As we move into 2026, the online poker world is seeing a significant reshuffling of professional players and brand sponsorships. With the popularity of online poker plateauing, the role of sponsored pros has shifted, raising questions about how effective these ambassadors truly are in today’s market.
Here’s a snapshot of the major online poker teams and their current strategies.
PokerStars Team Pros
PokerStars has undergone the most noticeable changes, with several high-profile departures in recent months. While its team isn’t what it once was, PokerStars continues to maintain a strong presence both online and at its branded live events.
Notable Team Members in 2026:
Adam McKola | Guillermo Sanz | Kerry-Lane Craigie
Alex Romero | James Hartigan | Maria Konnikova
Andre Akkari | Jason Koon | Marle Spragg
Arlie Shaban | Jennifer Shahade | Nick Walsh
Ben Bruneteaux | Joe Stapleton | Rafael Moraes
Benjamin Spragg | Julien Brecard | Rory Jennings
David Gutierrez | Kenny Hallaert | Sebastian Huber
PokerStars remains heavily invested in live series, including the EPT, BSOP, NAPT, APPT, and the PokerStars Open Tour, alongside branded poker rooms in Campione, London, Manila, and Namur.
partypoker
Once boasting a robust roster, including Isaac Haxton and Monika Zukowicz, partypoker has scaled back dramatically. Today, the Staples brothers are the primary representatives of the brand, maintaining an online presence via Twitch and social media.
Without a live tour or affiliation with venues like Dusk Till Dawn, partypoker now caters mostly to low- and mid-stakes players, relying less on sponsored pros and more on platform retention.
America’s Cardroom (ACR)
ACR has emerged as a key player, building a large team of pros, ambassadors, and streamers. While ACR itself hosts fewer live events than in the past, its pros can be seen at major tournaments worldwide.
Team Pros:
Jeff Boski | Katie Lindsay | Chris Moorman
Drew Gonzalez | Michael Loncar | Jon Pardy
Ebony Kenney | Ana Marquez | Monika Zukowicz
Rob Khun | Chris Moneymaker
Online Teams:
ACR’s Online Pro Team includes six dedicated streamers, while the Stormers program opens promotion opportunities to over 40 amateur and semi-pro poker streamers, helping grow ACR’s brand through online content.
GGPoker
GGPoker continues its rapid ascent, with 24 online and live pros, including household names like Michael Mizrachi, Fedor Holz, and Andrijana Gligoric. Following its acquisition of WSOP in 2024, GGPoker now oversees the WSOP in Las Vegas, WSOP Paradise, WSOP Europe, and aligns with the Triton High Roller Series, cementing its global influence.
WPT Global
The newest entrant in the ambassador space, WPT Global has built a diverse roster of online and live pros. Notable names include Phil Ivey and Fintan Hand, strengthening its live events and online satellite programs.
888poker
Though smaller than some competitors, 888poker maintains a focused ambassador and streamer program, bridging online content with live events. Its roster includes pros and streamers such as Jack Maate, Kara Scott, Jordan Banfield, and Ricardo Mateus, keeping the brand active in tournaments and online communities.
The Big Picture
Across the industry, team line-ups are shifting as online poker declines in popularity relative to live events. Top brands are adjusting their strategies, blending traditional pros, online streamers, and part-time ambassadors to maintain visibility. The future of online poker sponsorship will require creativity, adaptability, and new ways to engage audiences both online and in live settings.
Online pros in 2026 will need to balance streaming, social media influence, and live event participation to effectively represent their brands in a competitive, evolving landscape.
