2026 NLHC Main Event — The Christchurch Masters, NZ$1,600
5 – 6 Dec 2026 · Christchurch Casino, New Zealand
The headline event of New Zealand's main live tournament week, billed by the casino as The Christchurch Masters. It starts at 12.30pm on Saturday 5 December 2026 with a NZ$1,600 buy-in — NZ$1,475 to the prize pool plus a NZ$125 fee — and the deepest stack of the series at 40,000.
One re-entry is allowed, and because the structure is the slowest of the four the window closes earliest: the end of the second break, before level 9. If the event does not play to a winner on the Saturday it resumes at 12.30pm on Sunday 6 December, and Monday 7 December is held in reserve beyond that.
Seats were fully allocated as of 17 October 2026, with an alternate list kept by email. The casino's satellite programme, which had been awarding Main Event seats, is now paying the cash equivalent of NZ$1,600 instead — so a satellite win at this point is a cash prize rather than a place in this field. No prize-pool guarantee has been published.
Qualify online from New Zealand
Partner rooms run satellites to live festivals like this one. Available from New Zealand:
Frequently asked questions
What is the buy-in and stack?
NZ$1,600 — NZ$1,475 to the prize pool plus a NZ$125 fee — for a 40,000 starting stack, the deepest of the four championship events.
When does re-entry close?
At the end of the second break, before level 9 — the earliest cut-off of the series, because the structure is the slowest.
What happens if it does not finish on Saturday?
It resumes at 12.30pm on Sunday 6 December 2026, and Monday 7 December is held as a further reserve day.
Can I win a seat through a satellite?
Not any more. With all seats allocated, the casino's satellites now pay the cash equivalent of a Main Event seat — NZ$1,600 — rather than the seat itself.