RGPS Golden Expedition — MGM National Harbor

The RunGood Poker Series returns to MGM National Harbor from September 21–27, 2026 for a seven-day Golden Expedition festival built around 12 championship-ring events. The stop takes place in Oxon Hill, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., with a $1,300 Main Event carrying a $250,000 guarantee and three starting flights.

RunGood has published both the September-specific schedule and individual tournament structures. Players planning the trip should use the official RGPS MGM National Harbor event page for updates and view the full official RGPS MGM National Harbor schedule before traveling.

Readers comparing this stop with other live tournament options can also check the Angry Aces upcoming poker tournaments hub and follow additional results and tour developments through the Angry Aces RunGood Poker Series section.

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RGPS Golden Expedition Heads to MGM National Harbor

The September festival marks RunGood's return to MGM National Harbor after an earlier Passport Season stop at the property in April. The fall visit is a separate Golden Expedition festival with its own schedule and structures.

RunGood currently confirms:

• September 21–27, 2026

• MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland

• Seven tournament days

• 12 RunGood ring events

• $1,300 Main Event with a $250,000 guarantee

• PokerNews live reporting of the Main Event

• Participation in the 2026/27 RunGood Player of the Year race

• Participation in the 2026 Dream Seat Invitational

• Participation in the fall PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard

The April and September stops should not be treated as interchangeable. The April Passport Season series had 11 ring events and $360,000 in advertised guarantees. Those are historical April figures, not September series figures.

MGM National Harbor has remained an active tournament venue between the two RunGood stops. Angry Aces recently covered the nine-way Potomac Summer Poker Open Super Seniors final-table deal at MGM National Harbor, another example of the tournament volume at the property in 2026.

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2026 Golden Expedition Festival Overview

Golden Expedition is RunGood's 2026 fall-season theme. The season uses a new RunGood championship-ring design and leads toward the Dream Factory Festival at Thunder Valley Casino Resort from November 27 through December 3.

MGM National Harbor's schedule includes standard No-Limit Hold'em tournaments alongside Five Card PLO, Big O, bounty formats, a Seniors event, a Women's event and Tag Team poker. Satellites begin on opening day and continue through the final Main Event flight.

For players following the tour from one stop to another, the 2026 RGPS Caesars Southern Indiana Tournament Guide covers another Golden Expedition festival earlier in the fall season.

RunGood has not published an official overall guarantee for the September MGM National Harbor series. Individual guarantees are published for several tournaments, including the $250,000 Main Event, $50,000 PokerNews PowerStack, $25,000 Seniors event, $10,000 Women's event and $25,000 Black Chip Bounty.

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Schedule Highlights

Opening day on Monday, September 21 begins with a $420 RunGood Package Satellite at 10:15 a.m. and a $300 Tag Team Ring Event at 6:15 p.m., with the Tag Team buy-in listed as $150 per player. On-demand $200 Flip & Go Main Event satellites are also available during the week when eight players are ready to play.

Tuesday brings the $400 Seniors NLH Ring Event at 10:15 a.m. with a $25,000 guarantee. The evening schedule includes the $250 Ambassador Double Green Chip Bounty Ring Event.

Wednesday is centered on the $400 PokerNews PowerStack. Flight A begins at 10:15 a.m., Flight B follows at 4:15 p.m., and a $500 Five Card PLO Ring Event starts between them at 12:15 p.m.

The Main Event begins Thursday. Players not in a Main Event flight or PowerStack Day 2 also have a $500 Big O Ring Event at 3:15 p.m. and a $300 Big Bounty Nightly Ring Event at 6:15 p.m.

Friday adds the $300 Women's NLH Ring Event at 6:15 p.m. with a $10,000 guarantee. Sunday closes the festival with Main Event Day 2, a $500 Black Chip Bounty NLH Ring Event carrying a $25,000 guarantee and the $300 Send-Off NLH Ring Event.

One current RunGood publishing discrepancy is worth noting. The HTML event table lists the Tuesday Series Opener at $200, while RunGood's schedule flyer and structure materials list the Series Opener at $300. Players targeting that event should verify the current buy-in with RunGood or MGM National Harbor before registering.

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RGPS Main Event

The $1,300 RunGood Main Event is the centerpiece of the MGM National Harbor stop. It carries a $250,000 guaranteed prize pool and uses three starting flights before the surviving players combine on Sunday.

The official MGM National Harbor structure sheets publish the following Main Event structure:

• Buy-in: $1,300

• Guarantee: $250,000

• Published starting stack: 50,000 chips, including the optional 20,000-chip staff add-on

• Day 1 levels: 40 minutes

• Day 2 levels: 50 minutes

• Final-table levels: 60 minutes

• Registration: Open until the start of Level 10

• Re-entry: Unlimited during the registration period

• Day 1 advancement: Top 12.5% of each flight, rounded up

• Day 2: Sunday, September 27 at 12:15 p.m.

The 50,000-chip figure includes a 20,000-chip optional staff add-on tied to a $45 voluntary gratuity. A player declining that add-on begins with the underlying 30,000-chip stack.

Day 1 starts at blinds of 100/200 with a 200 big-blind ante. At the completion of Level 9, a player may forfeit an existing stack and re-enter while registration remains available.

Every player must bag chips from a starting flight to reach Day 2, and all Day 2 qualifiers are in the money.

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Main Event Starting Flights and Day 2

All three Main Event starting flights begin at 11:15 a.m.:

• Flight 1A: Thursday, September 24

• Flight 1B: Friday, September 25

• Flight 1C: Saturday, September 26

• Day 2 final: Sunday, September 27 at 12:15 p.m.

Each flight plays until the top 12.5% of that flight's field, rounded up, remains. Those players advance to Sunday.

Multiple qualifications are permitted, but a player who bags more than once may play only the higher qualifying stack on Day 2. RunGood's structure states that each lower qualifying stack will be removed when Day 2 begins and will receive the lowest Day 2 payout.

Day 2 begins at the lowest blind level played during the three Day 1 flights. Levels increase from 40 minutes on Day 1 to 50 minutes on Day 2, with 60-minute levels once the tournament reaches the final table.

The Main Event is one of the stop's championship-ring events, which gives the eventual winner more than the tournament payout. A RunGood ring win also creates eligibility for the champions-only Dream Seat Invitational later in the year.

RunGood says the Main Event will be live reported by PokerNews. Players and fans can follow the stop through the PokerNews 2026 RGPS Golden Expedition Maryland tournament hub.

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PokerNews PowerStack

The $400 PokerNews PowerStack is the largest supporting tournament by published guarantee, with $50,000 guaranteed and two Wednesday starting flights.

Its structure is:

• Buy-in: $400

• Guarantee: $50,000

• Flight 1A: Wednesday, September 23 at 10:15 a.m.

• Flight 1B: Wednesday, September 23 at 4:15 p.m.

• Day 2: Thursday, September 24 at 12:15 p.m.

• Published starting stack: 30,000 chips, including a 10,000-chip optional staff add-on

• Levels: 30 minutes

• Registration: Open until the start of Level 9

• Re-entry: Unlimited during registration

• Day 1 advancement: Top 12.5% of each flight, rounded up

The advertised 30,000-chip starting stack includes a 10,000-chip optional staff add-on associated with a $30 voluntary gratuity. The underlying stack without that add-on is 20,000.

Players must bag a Day 1 stack to reach Thursday, and all Day 2 qualifiers are in the money. A player qualifying from both flights plays only the higher stack; the lower qualifying stack is removed and receives the lowest Day 2 payout.

The PowerStack also feeds a season-long race. According to the 2026 fall PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard information, eligible PowerStack results throughout the fall earn leaderboard points.

The top 10 players will each receive:

• Entry into the $300 Dream Seat Invitational

• A $300 travel stipend

• A two-night hotel stay at Thunder Valley Casino Resort

PokerNews has also confirmed the return of the fall competition in its PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard coverage. RunGood says additional scoring and standings information will be announced during the season.

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Other Ring Events to Watch

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Seniors Ring Event

The $400 Seniors NLH Ring Event begins Tuesday, September 22 at 10:15 a.m. and carries a $25,000 guarantee.

RunGood's structure specifies age 50+ eligibility. Players receive a published 30,000-chip starting stack including the 10,000-chip optional staff add-on. Levels last 30 minutes, registration remains open until the start of Level 9 and unlimited re-entry is permitted during registration.

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Women's NLH Ring Event

The $300 Women's NLH Ring Event is scheduled for Friday, September 25 at 6:15 p.m. with a $10,000 guarantee.

The published structure uses 30-minute levels and a 20,000-chip advertised starting stack including a 10,000-chip optional staff add-on. Registration is open until the start of Level 9, with unlimited re-entry available during that period.

RunGood's current MGM structure sheet identifies the tournament as the Women's NLH Ring Event but does not publish a separate detailed eligibility definition beyond the event name and MGM National Harbor's general tournament requirements. Those general rules require participants to be at least 21 and MGM Rewards members. Players with eligibility questions should confirm with the poker room before registering.

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Five Card PLO and Big O

Omaha players have two dedicated ring options.

The $500 Five Card PLO Ring Event begins Wednesday, September 23 at 12:15 p.m. Its published structure provides 30,000 chips including the optional 10,000-chip add-on, 30-minute levels, unlimited re-entry and registration through the start of Level 9.

The $500 Big O Ring Event follows Thursday, September 24 at 3:15 p.m. RunGood's structure likewise lists a 30,000-chip starting stack including the optional 10,000-chip add-on, 30-minute levels and unlimited re-entry through the registration period.

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Bounty Events

Several bounty formats appear during the week.

The $250 Ambassador Double Green Chip Bounty Ring Event begins Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. RunGood's schedule says special guests will have mystery-bounty envelopes with prizes ranging from $50 in RunGood store credit to a $500 event entry.

Thursday's $300 Big Bounty Nightly Ring Event starts at 6:15 p.m. The structure uses 20-minute levels and a published 20,000-chip stack including the optional 10,000-chip add-on. Registration remains open until the start of Level 7 with unlimited re-entry. RunGood states that $400 bounties begin once players are in the money and that $50 from each entry is allocated to the bounty pool.

The $500 Black Chip Bounty NLH Ring Event starts Sunday at 1:15 p.m. with a $25,000 guarantee. It also uses 20-minute levels, unlimited re-entry and registration through the start of Level 7. The official structure allocates $100 from each entry to the bounty pool. The structure does not require interpreting that allocation as a blanket statement that every individual knockout is automatically worth $100.

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Satellites and Ways to Qualify

RunGood has several Main Event qualification routes built into the week.

The first is Monday's $420 RunGood Package Satellite at 10:15 a.m. RunGood guarantees three packages and awards one package for each $2,800 accumulated in the prize pool. The published package contains entries into the Series Opener, PokerNews PowerStack, $1,300 Main Event and Big Bounty, plus $500 cash.

The package satellite uses a published 25,000-chip stack including a 10,000-chip optional add-on, 30-minute levels, unlimited re-entry and registration until the start of Level 9.

Main Event-specific satellites include:

• $160 satellite on Thursday, September 24 at 9:15 a.m. — one $1,300 Main Event seat for every 10 entries

• $160 satellite on Friday, September 25 at 9:15 a.m. — one seat for every 10 entries

• $290 satellite on Saturday, September 26 at 9:15 a.m. — one seat for every five entries

Those conventional Main Event satellites use 20-minute levels, a published 20,000-chip stack including a 10,000-chip optional staff add-on, unlimited re-entry and registration until the start of Level 7.

The schedule also lists $200 on-demand Flip & Go Main Event satellites from Monday through Saturday. They begin when eight players have entered. RunGood's structure calls for one all-in No-Limit Hold'em hand played pineapple style, with three cards dealt and one discarded after the flop. The best hand receives a $1,300 Main Event seat plus $20 cash, while second place receives $240.

RunGood's current structure sheets do not state a general transferability policy for satellite seats. Players who need to know whether a seat can be transferred should confirm directly with MGM National Harbor before entering.

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Golden Expedition Promotions

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RunGood Player of the Year

MGM National Harbor results can matter beyond the individual tournament.

The 2026/27 RunGood Player of the Year rules use the Global Poker Index ranking system to award points based on performances in qualifying RunGood Poker Series and RunGood-powered events between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027.

RunGood explicitly excludes events that are not open to the public from POY points and gives Seniors, Ladies and Tag Team events as examples. The published rules do not identify a separate Main Event weighting, so players should not assume one.

The top five in the final standings are scheduled to receive a custom Player of the Year ring, a $600 Hendon Mob Mid-Major Championship seat and an invitation to the Hall of Rings celebration at Thunder Valley that includes a hotel stay and $500 travel stipend. RunGood also says the overall top player will be represented on a traveling Player of the Year banner.

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Dream Seat Invitational

The 2026 Dream Seat Invitational is a $300 champions-only event open to RunGood ring winners.

It is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2 at 11 a.m. during the Dream Factory Festival at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. The festival runs November 27 through December 3.

Because MGM National Harbor's 12 championship events award RunGood rings, winners from the stop can earn access to the Invitational. That includes the Main Event champion.

The Dream Seat Invitational winner receives a seat in the January 2027 PGT Championship at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.

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PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard

The PowerStack offers a separate path into the Dream Seat Invitational. Eligible fall PowerStack results contribute to the leaderboard, and the season's top 10 receive Dream Seat Invitational entry, a $300 travel stipend and two hotel nights at Thunder Valley.

That makes the MGM National Harbor PowerStack relevant both as a $50,000-guaranteed ring event and as one stop in the larger fall leaderboard race.

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Tournament Structures and Registration

MGM National Harbor's tournament structures vary by event, so players should not assume the Main Event registration window or re-entry rules apply to the entire festival.

The official RunGood MGM National Harbor structure PDF should be checked for the exact event being played.

Several house requirements appear throughout the structure sheets:

• Players must be MGM Rewards members.

• Players must be 21 or older.

• A valid ID is required to collect winnings.

• MGM National Harbor operates the tournaments under TDA rules.

• Tournament play is generally nine-handed.

• Optional staff add-ons are included in many of the advertised starting-stack totals.

• The Tournament Director's decision is final.

Players should pay particular attention to those optional add-ons when comparing starting stacks. A published stack such as 50,000 in the Main Event or 30,000 in the PowerStack includes the extra chips associated with the stated voluntary staff gratuity.

The MGM National Harbor poker-room page lists the poker host at 301-971-5600. Players with questions about registration, MGM Rewards enrollment, eligibility or an updated tournament rule should confirm with the room before arriving.

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MGM National Harbor Poker Room

MGM National Harbor operates a dedicated poker room on the second level of the casino floor. MGM currently describes the room as having 53 tables, including an elevated high-limit platform and a High Limit Salon.

The room offers cash games at varying limits around the clock and daily tournaments during the week. MGM lists No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Five Card Omaha, Five Card Omaha Hi-Lo and Limit Hold'em among its regular games, with higher-limit, mixed, Stud and draw games available on request.

Photo identification is required for entry. The casino floor is restricted to guests age 21 and older, and MGM states that the casino floor is ADA accessible.

For the RunGood festival specifically, the tournament structure sheets also require MGM Rewards membership. Players who do not already have an account can review or join through the official MGM Rewards program.

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MGM National Harbor and the Washington, D.C. Area

MGM National Harbor is physically located in Oxon Hill, Maryland, not Washington, D.C.

The official address is:

MGM National Harbor 101 MGM National Avenue Oxon Hill, MD 20745

The property sits in the National Harbor area and serves players traveling from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. That makes it a regional tournament destination without requiring players to stay inside the District.

For tournament travelers, the distinction matters when arranging hotels, airport transportation and driving directions: use the Oxon Hill, Maryland address rather than treating MGM National Harbor as a downtown Washington casino.

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Where to Stay

MGM National Harbor has an on-property hotel, making it the simplest lodging option for players expecting long tournament days.

The official MGM National Harbor hotel page lists 234 guest rooms and 74 suites. Standard room categories include Resort, Potomac and Capital configurations with king and queen-bed options.

MGM's current hotel information lists check-in at 3 p.m. and checkout at 11 a.m. Early check-in and late checkout may be available for a fee based on availability.

RunGood's current MGM National Harbor Golden Expedition page does not list a dedicated September tournament room block or booking code. Players should therefore use MGM's current hotel rates unless RunGood later publishes a tournament-specific offer.

MGM states that resort-fee information is provided in the reservation terms and conditions during booking rather than publishing one fixed fee on its general FAQ. Players should review the complete room total, resort fee and cancellation terms before confirming a reservation.

Registered MGM National Harbor hotel guests receive complimentary self-parking.

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Dining and Amenities

Tournament players have several practical food options without leaving the property. Current restaurants and hours can change, so the MGM National Harbor dining directory is the best place to recheck them before the series.

For a short tournament break, National Market provides multiple counter-service choices in one location. Bread + Butter is another useful option and is currently listed as open 24 hours daily.

Bellagio Patisserie serves coffee, pastries, breakfast items and sandwiches and is currently listed from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

For players finishing late, Ginger currently stays open until 2 a.m. most nights and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge is another later-night option.

Players with enough time for a sit-down meal can consider restaurants such as Osteria Costa or Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, but their operating days and hours make checking the current dining page particularly important.

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Parking at MGM National Harbor

Players who remember universally free self-parking at MGM National Harbor should pay attention to the property's 2026 policy change.

According to the official MGM National Harbor parking page, self-parking fees took effect for non-members on July 13, 2026.

The current policy states:

• All MGM Rewards tiers receive complimentary self-parking.

• MGM Rewards is free to join.

• Non-member self-parking starts at $15 per day.

• Registered MGM National Harbor hotel guests receive complimentary self-parking.

• Valet remains available at the hotel entrance.

• Gold, Platinum and NOIR MGM Rewards members receive complimentary valet under the current published policy.

MGM has approximately 5,000 spaces in its self-park garage, with garage access from MGM National Avenue or Monument Avenue.

MGM Rewards members can add a vehicle license plate to their account in advance for a more automated entry and exit process. MGM notes that license-plate activation may take up to 24 hours, so tournament players who want to use that feature should set it up before arriving.

For a player planning several tournament days, joining the free MGM Rewards program before the trip can avoid repeated non-member self-parking charges while also satisfying the MGM Rewards membership requirement published in the RunGood tournament structures.

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Getting There

MGM National Harbor's address is 101 MGM National Avenue in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

The National Harbor area is accessible by the Capital Beltway and the regional I-495, I-95 and I-295 highway network. Players driving should account for parking and walking time before registration, especially around the 11:15 a.m. Main Event flights.

National Harbor's official travel information lists three major airports serving the area:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

• Washington Dulles International Airport

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Players should compare flight schedules, ground transportation and traffic conditions rather than relying on a fixed drive-time estimate.

MGM provides designated rideshare pickup and drop-off at the Casino Entrance. The property's transportation page also lists public-transport connections from the King Street and Southern Avenue Metro areas as well as local bus service.

Players can review current regional transportation options through the National Harbor getting-there guide and MGM's current parking and transportation information before traveling.

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What Players Should Know

• The RGPS Golden Expedition at MGM National Harbor runs September 21–27, 2026.

• MGM National Harbor is in Oxon Hill, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.

• RunGood currently lists 12 championship-ring events over seven days.

• The $1,300 Main Event has a $250,000 guarantee and three starting flights.

• Main Event flights begin Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 11:15 a.m.

• Main Event Day 2 begins Sunday at 12:15 p.m.

• The Main Event structure uses 40-minute Day 1 levels, 50-minute Day 2 levels and 60-minute final-table levels.

• The $400 PokerNews PowerStack has a $50,000 guarantee and two Wednesday flights.

• Main Event satellites include $160 one-in-10 qualifiers and a $290 one-in-five qualifier.

• On-demand $200 Flip & Go Main Event satellites are also scheduled.

• Qualifying public events can contribute to the 2026/27 RunGood Player of the Year race.

• RunGood ring winners can qualify for the December 2 Dream Seat Invitational at Thunder Valley.

• MGM Rewards membership is required under the tournament house rules.

• All MGM Rewards tiers currently receive complimentary self-parking; non-member self-parking starts at $15 per day.

• MGM National Harbor has an on-property hotel, poker room and multiple dining options.

• Schedules and structures can change, so players should recheck RunGood's official materials shortly before traveling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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When is RGPS MGM National Harbor 2026?

The RunGood Poker Series Golden Expedition at MGM National Harbor is scheduled for September 21 through September 27, 2026.

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Where is MGM National Harbor?

MGM National Harbor is at 101 MGM National Avenue in Oxon Hill, Maryland 20745, in the National Harbor area.

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Is MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C.?

No. MGM National Harbor is physically located in Oxon Hill, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.

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How many RGPS ring events are scheduled?

RunGood currently lists 12 ring events over seven days.

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How much is the RGPS MGM National Harbor Main Event?

The Main Event buy-in is $1,300.

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What is the Main Event guarantee?

The Main Event has a $250,000 guaranteed prize pool.

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How many Main Event starting flights are there?

There are three. Flight 1A begins Thursday, September 24 at 11:15 a.m., Flight 1B begins Friday at 11:15 a.m., and Flight 1C begins Saturday at 11:15 a.m.

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What is the Main Event starting stack?

The published starting stack is 50,000 chips, but that total includes a 20,000-chip optional staff add-on. The underlying stack without that add-on is 30,000 chips.

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When does Main Event registration close?

Registration remains open until the start of Level 10. Unlimited re-entry is available during the registration period.

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When is Main Event Day 2?

Day 2 begins Sunday, September 27 at 12:15 p.m. Day 2 levels are 50 minutes, increasing to 60 minutes at the final table.

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Will PokerNews live report the Main Event?

Yes. RunGood's official event page identifies the MGM National Harbor Main Event for live reporting by PokerNews.

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Are Main Event satellites available?

Yes. The schedule includes $160 satellites awarding one seat for every 10 entries on Thursday and Friday, a $290 satellite awarding one seat for every five entries Saturday, and $200 on-demand Flip & Go Main Event satellites.

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Is there a PokerNews PowerStack?

Yes. The $400 PokerNews PowerStack carries a $50,000 guarantee. Flights begin Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., with Day 2 Thursday at 12:15 p.m.

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Is there a Seniors event?

Yes. The $400 Seniors NLH Ring Event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22 at 10:15 a.m., carries a $25,000 guarantee and is for players age 50 and older.

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Is there a Women's event?

Yes. The $300 Women's NLH Ring Event is scheduled Friday, September 25 at 6:15 p.m. with a $10,000 guarantee.

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Does MGM National Harbor have a hotel?

Yes. MGM National Harbor has 234 guest rooms and 74 suites on property.

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Does MGM National Harbor charge for parking?

As of July 13, 2026, MGM National Harbor charges non-members for self-parking, with the current published rate starting at $15 per day.

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Is parking free for MGM Rewards members?

Yes. MGM National Harbor currently provides complimentary self-parking to all MGM Rewards tiers. MGM Rewards is free to join.

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Which airports serve the National Harbor area?

National Harbor lists Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport as the area's three major airports.

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Where can players find the complete tournament schedule?

Players should use the official RGPS MGM National Harbor schedule for the complete event-by-event listing and the official RunGood structure sheets for detailed starting stacks, blind levels, registration and re-entry rules.