Lucas Jumalon is the current WSOP Main Event winner, and he was named the global ambassador of the WSOP Academy on October 27. In the next season, his task is to find a player to mentor at the 2027 WSOP Main Event.
This being the case, his quest is going to start very soon. The first Lucas Jumalon WSOP Academy meet-up is set to take place on November 13 in Nottingham, and more WSOP Circuit stops are expected to follow.
Why Did Lucas Jumalon Join WSOP Academy?
In an official press release by the World Series of Poker, Lucas Jumalon presents him as the new face of the WSOP Academy platform.
The app was designed specifically for beginners and allows them to learn the game through interactive lessons and practice rounds for those who wish to get started with poker.
And such a collaboration seems to make sense. The title won by Lucas Jumalon at the WSOP Main Event in August earned him $10 million; the 22-year-old who won at the WSOP final table is just the right person to become the new face of the educational app.
Thus, Lucas Jumalon gets a new page in his poker biography just a few months after winning the title.
The CEO of WSOP, Ty Stewart, praised the maturity and dedication of the young poker player. Furthermore, he noted that both sides will collaborate on the development of the Academy.
How Will Lucas Jumalon Choose His WSOP Protégé?
There are some specific details regarding the awards that are important to distinguish.
During each tour stop, Jumalon will arrange a meet-up game, which will only be open to the customers of WSOP Academy.
Each game will produce a winner who is given a free seat in the WSOP Circuit Main Event of that particular tour stop.
It isn’t a ticket to the 2027 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas. At the end of the tour, Jumalon will select one protégé among all the meet-up winners.
It is only that person who will receive a complimentary $10,000 entry to the 2027 WSOP Main Event and will be mentored by Jumalon during the tournament.
| Stage | Reward |
|---|---|
| Academy meet-up winner | WSOP Circuit Main Event seat |
| Protégé selected after the tour | $10,000 WSOP Main Event 2027 seat and mentorship |
The WSOP hasn’t said how Jumalon will make his final pick.
When Does the WSOP Academy Tour Begin?
The first known meeting will happen on November 13 at the Dusk Till Dawn casino in Nottingham, UK. The meeting is timed to coincide with the WSOP Circuit Nottingham festival, which is planned for November 4 to 16.
If you are going to travel to watch the events, then our November 2026 poker tournament calendar already lists the Nottingham festival, along with other upcoming stages. Thus, you can see which other events will be held at that time and plan your trip accordingly.
The WSOP has not yet announced the rest of the tour schedule or how many more meetings will take place.
Who Can Join the WSOP Academy Meet-Up Games?
It becomes quite obvious from the announcement that the meetings are exclusively for WSOP Academy customers. In other words, there is still much to clarify in practice.
WSOP asked Academy users to watch for instructions on how to participate in the Nottingham game; however, no registration process has been announced yet.
There are different options for the app-both free and premium-and there is no information provided in the announcement regarding what is needed for participation.
This implies that downloading the app won’t guarantee you participation. However, in case you are willing to take part in the game, we will provide all necessary information about the entry rules here at PokerDealsHQ.
What Happens After the WSOP Academy Tour?
After the final stage, Jumalon will announce who will be his protégé to go to Las Vegas and compete in the 2027 Main Event, with the champion by his side to assist during the championship; however, the announcement does not clarify whether travel or accommodation expenses will also be covered for the protégé.
“Now I have the opportunity to help someone else chase that same dream,” Jumalon said.
All the action will take place on the official WSOP YouTube channel, which will have a production crew following the tour.
The first episode is expected in late November, so Lucas Jumalon’s journey with WSOP Academy will continue beyond Nottingham. Further tour dates and participation rules have yet to be announced.
