Borgata Big Big Series Advances Championship Field in Atlantic City
Written by Olivia Perry · Sep 20, 2026
Borgata Big Big Series Advances Championship Field in Atlantic City
The 2026 Borgata Big Big Series continues at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City where Day 1a of the $5,300 Big Big Championship wrapped up with 25 players moving forward to Day 2 on September 22 and a share of the $3,000,000 guaranteed prize pool according to tournament reports from the venue.
Matthew Zambanini sits atop the leaderboard after accumulating 235,000 chips while Max Young follows closely with 211,000 chips and the remaining players prepare for the next stage of competition in the main event.
Event 9 Delivers a Turbo Winner
Matthew Costanzo captured the title in Event 9 which featured the $1,100 Big Big Shot Clock Turbo format and he collected $32,632 after navigating through the fast-paced structure that limited decision time at each betting round. Observers note the shot clock element added pressure throughout the day and the final payouts reflected the strong turnout for this side event.
Additional updates from the series include final table results from the Borgata Summer Poker Open $2,700 Championship which concluded earlier in the schedule and provided its own set of payouts separate from the current Big Big events.
Day 2 Structure and Player Movement
Those advancing from Day 1a now join survivors from subsequent flights in the $5,300 Championship where play resumes on September 22 with blinds increasing according to the posted schedule and the $3,000,000 guarantee remaining the central focus for all remaining competitors. The series spans multiple days at the Atlantic City property and draws entrants seeking both the main event title and additional opportunities in the supporting tournaments.
Chip counts from the conclusion of Day 1a show Zambanini holding the edge while Young maintains a strong position that positions both players well for the continuation of play and the eventual push toward the money stages.
Supporting Events and Series Overview
The Big Big Shot Clock Turbo win by Costanzo marks one of several side events running alongside the flagship championship and the $32,632 payout stands as the top prize for that specific tournament according to results published after play ended. The Borgata Summer Poker Open $2,700 Championship final table provided another layer of activity at the same property and its outcomes feed into the broader schedule that keeps tables active across multiple formats.
Players who advanced from Day 1a will return with their stacks intact while new entrants can still register for later starting flights that feed into the same prize pool structure and the September 22 restart date serves as the next major checkpoint for the field.
Guarantee and Payout Framework
The $3,000,000 guarantee attached to the $5,300 Big Big Championship sets the baseline for all prize distribution once the field reaches the money stages and the series organizers at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa have structured the event to accommodate the large pool across multiple days of play. Data from the venue shows consistent participation in both the main championship and the turbo side events which helps sustain the overall momentum of the series through September.
Final table action from the earlier $2,700 Championship offered separate payouts that concluded before the current Big Big events reached their Day 1a finish line and those results remain available for review alongside the ongoing updates from the $5,300 main event.
Looking Ahead to September 22
With 25 players secured from Day 1a the focus now shifts to the remaining flights and the September 22 Day 2 session where stacks combine and the path to the final table begins in earnest for those still in contention. The series continues to run its full slate of events at the Atlantic City location and the chip leaders from the first flight provide an early benchmark for the competition ahead.
Conclusion
The 2026 Borgata Big Big Series has delivered its first set of championship advancements along with a clear winner in the turbo side event and final table outcomes from the preceding Summer Poker Open. Matthew Zambanini and Max Young hold the top stacks entering the next phase while Matthew Costanzo secured his $32,632 payout and the $3,000,000 guarantee remains the target as play continues into late September at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. Additional details appear in daily tournament highlights from the property.