Arizona Open 2026, Yuma, August 13-16

[Bob Jewett]

This is the inaugural Arizona Open for the WNT.
The format is new -- 128 players and single elimination. Half are WNT pros and the other half are open entries.
Entry fee $350
Total prize fund, $125,000, including $80,000 added money
Location: Quechan Casino Resort (Winterhaven, CA, 12 miles from the Yuma airport)

The required hotel for players is the casino. Rooms are $125/night total which is lower than their usual rate, especially on weekends. The casino seems to offer rooms only through its official site, and not through Orbitz or Booking.com and such. Use the link from the Matchroom event web page.

The only airline into Yuma seems to be American (by Skywest), from either Phoenix or Dallas. From PHX, the roundtrip fares with luggage are $570 to $900 for the one-hour flight. For the adventuresome, Amtrak has a Yuma station and provides service to/from Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Maricopa (near Phoenix) and Tucson. From Maricopa or Palm Springs, the round trip is about $70 and takes about three hours. The train, which is not daily, runs at night.

 

[Positively Ralf]

Was it WNT who did that single elimination tournament recently in the Philipines? Or was it somewhere/someone else? Whatever the case, I remember hearing nothing but good things about it from both spectators and players so I take it they are copying that formula with this.

 

[kingwang]

Was it WNT who did that single elimination tournament recently in the Philipines? Or was it somewhere/someone else? Whatever the case, I remember hearing nothing but good things about it from both spectators and players so I take it they are copying that formula with this.

Yes, the Philippines Open. However, I'm guessing that had more to do with it being set in the biggest shopping mall in the middle of the biggest city in the most pool crazed nation on earth. I think the vibe in Yuma might be a bit different.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Was it WNT who did that single elimination tournament recently in the Philipines? Or was it somewhere/someone else? Whatever the case, I remember hearing nothing but good things about it from both spectators and players so I take it they are copying that formula with this.

I think in Manila, the venue could support only a few tables, and so the number of matches had to be reduced.

In the case of Yuma, I think it is an experiment in adjusting the amount of effort for the expected turnout while still producing a watchable product. The usual large WNT event has maybe 30 tables. I think it will be more like 8 or 10 tables in Yuma. That's a large reduction in time and staff required to run the event.

 

[skogstokig]

I think in Manila, the venue could support only a few tables, and so the number of matches had to be reduced.

In the case of Yuma, I think it is an experiment in adjusting the amount of effort for the expected turnout while still producing a watchable product. The usual large WNT event has maybe 30 tables. I think it will be more like 8 or 10 tables in Yuma. That's a large reduction in time and staff required to run the event.

it's also half the field.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Location: Quechan Casino Resort (Winterhaven, CA, 12 miles from the Yuma airport) Only nice part about this location is Los Algadonis Border Town just 2 miles to South.

Cheap Dental Clinics, lots of Pharmacies, and last Counterfeit Designer Items .

Not much else close.

Home - Quechan Casino Resort

playqcr.com

 

[garczar]

Yes, the Philippines Open. However, I'm guessing that had more to do with it being set in the biggest shopping mall in the middle of the biggest city in the most pool crazed nation on earth. I think the vibe in Yuma might be a bit different.

ya think??? does a desert indian casino have a vibe???

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

ya think??? does a desert indian casino have a vibe???

Have not been their in over 10 + years, when once on way home from Los Alagdnos, it was typical Indian Casino.

Nothing special but they get people from Yuma. Yuma is nothing special except hot in Summer.

Full of Snowbird with RV’s in Winter.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... The only airline into Yuma seems to be American (by Skywest), ...

I checked some other travel options, and for me the best is to fly to San Diego and drive. It's a slightly shorter drive (2.5 hours) than from Phoenix. The total airfare and car looks to be $500. The car rental duration assumes I will not be playing in the finals.

 

[BarenbruggeCues]

3.5 hr from my house east of Phoenix to Los Algodones, Mexico. Hop on I8 and it takes right to the exit where the casino and road to Mexico is. Been doing our dental work there for over 15 years, Anyone interested pm me and I'll give my dentist name and place. He is one of the best. $1400 complete for an implant and Zirconia crown. If you don't have dental insurance you'll pay 4 to 5 times that in the states. You park on the American side and it's just a short walk across to the dental places.
Glasses and pharmacy meds are all around also. Cheaper than anywhere in the states for the exact same meds you get here. Liquor used to be cheaper but not much any more.
Yuma is an International airport and they have shuttles running all the time to the casino and/or Mexico.

As far as the casino....stayed there many times as Mexico is just a few miles down the road from. It's an older place. Needs upgraded. Nothing fancy for sure. Clean tho and they have a nice swimming pool.
If I was going to be around I'd stop in and check out the tourney. Unfortunately I'll be out of town that time.