The World Solitaire Championship attracts tourists to Miami

In February 2026, Miami will host the first-ever World Solitaire Championship. The organizers promise a large-scale competition featuring 400 of the best players and a record prize pool of $300,000, which is approximately 27 million rubles. Why has a familiar card game, known to many since childhood, suddenly entered the world of esports and attracted such a significant audience? This championship marks a major milestone not only for solitaire fans but also for the entire mobile entertainment industry.

Solitaire opens up new horizons for mobile games

Solitaire, which for decades remained a traditional tabletop pastime, has evolved in the digital age and is now available as mobile apps accessible to millions of users. The main platform for the upcoming championship—Solitaire Cash—ranks fifth among casino games in the Apple Store and attracts a huge audience thanks to its simplicity and excitement.

Today, traditional card games are increasingly becoming modern esports disciplines. In Solitaire Cash, players compete not only for fun but also for real cash prizes, which makes the game especially appealing to a new wave of users. The competition mechanics are based on speed and accuracy: the winner is the one who clears the playing field the fastest or scores the most points.

Organizers focus on innovation and mass appeal

The main organizer of the championship is Papaya, a company known for its mobile games and regular tournaments. Estars Studios and executive producer David Lee are also involved in producing the championship, which demonstrates a highly professional approach to the event. Papaya’s mission is to bring people together through gaming, creating a space for communication, competition, and new experiences.

The company has already implemented successful projects such as Bingo Cash and Bubble Cash, which have accumulated over 37 million downloads worldwide. This confirms the demand for mobile tournament formats. The organizers emphasize that the solitaire championship is a step towards building a global player community where everyone can showcase their skills.

How the selection of participants and the final stage are conducted

The qualifying stage starts on November 3, 2025, and ends on November 23 of the same year. To participate, you must be over 18 years old and reach level eight in the Solitaire Cash app. The selection takes place through in-game tournaments, where players earn points and improve their ranking positions.

The final stage will be held in a LAN format, meaning all participants will meet in person at a single venue using mobile devices. The winner is determined by speed and performance: it is important not only to complete the solitaire quickly but also to do it as efficiently as possible.

Prizes and bonuses: new standards for tournaments

The main prize of the tournament is $150,000 (about 13.8 million rubles), and the remaining part of the prize pool is distributed among the other finalists, which provides additional motivation for participants. In addition to cash rewards, finalists receive an all-expenses-paid weekend in Miami with accommodation at the prestigious Fountainebleau hotel, an entertainment program, and the opportunity to meet other players and fans. For many participants, this is a chance not only to compete for the prize but also to become part of a unique gaming community.

From poker to Andar Bahar – what other card games can become a tourist attraction

The example of holding a solitaire championship shows that card games are still very popular. Therefore, it is not surprising if the organizers of this championship turn their attention to more popular games:

Blackjack. A classic gambling game and the most popular card game in most casinos worldwide. The game’s popularity is high in many different countries, which makes it possible to hold an international championship;

Andar Bahar. Another game that is rapidly gaining popularity. This is largely because people prefer to play online. As the authors of industry websites in the iGaming field have told us, the desire to play andar bahar online is more typical for residents of India. However, this game is also becoming popular in other countries;

Poker. Of course, no such list would be complete without mentioning poker. In this card game, success depends least of all on luck and is mostly the result of the player’s knowledge and skills. Therefore, it is very convenient to hold championships in this game.

It is clear that the list could go on, but even these examples are enough to understand the prospects for card game competitions. And there is every reason to believe that such tournaments will be held more and more often.