Broadway’s official game night, Broadway Bets, stacked the deck with stars, industry power players and spirited fans on May 18, 2026, for a high-energy evening of poker that raised a  record-shattering $989,528. Produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, this year’s event welcomed the largest number of players in its history in a joyful celebration of community, competition and generosity.

Tony Award- and Olivier Award-winning producer and philanthropist Thomas S. Perakos stepped up as the first-ever presenting sponsor of Broadway Bets. His pioneer multi-year commitment of more than $1 million marks a milestone investment focusing exclusively on funding for health care, health insurance, mental health support, counseling and emergency assistance for all members of the Broadway and theater community during their critical times of need.

Broadway Bets expanded this year with a move to the Edison Ballroom bringing together an even more  dazzling cross-section of the Broadway community, with theater owners, producers, performers, theatrical executives, advertising and marketing leaders and fans all taking their seats at the table for the industry’s beloved poker tournament.

Among the royal flush of stars attending were 2026 Tony Award nominee Christopher Abbott, Ben Ahlers, Patrick Ball, NSYNC’s Lance Bass, Tony nominee Kerry Butler, James Carpinello, 2026 Tony nominee Nicholas Christopher, Grammy nominee Deborah Cox, Robert Creighton, 2026 Tony nominee Hannah Cruz, Rodd Cyrus, Lea DeLaria, NSYNC’s Joey Fatone, Jordan Fisher, 2026 Tony nominee Ana Gasteyer as well as her infamous alter ego September L. Davis; Frankie Grande, Tony nominee Jared Grimes, Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying, Adam Kantor,Jennifer Nettles, Tony nominee Brad Oscar, 2026 Tony nominee Christiani Pitts, 2026 Tony nominee Mark Strong, Brent Thiessen, 2026 Tony nominee Sam Tutty, Edred Utomi, 2026 Tony nominee and Olivier Award winner Layton Williams, three-time Tony nominee Patrick Wilson and Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur.

“Broadway Bets has always carried an incredible energy, but this year the joy and excitement in the room felt absolutely electric,” Broadway Cares Executive Director Danny Whitman said. “Seeing a record number of people come together from across the Broadway community and well beyond, all in the spirit of camaraderie, generosity and a little friendly competition, was truly extraordinary. Together, they shattered fundraising records to help provide meals, medication, health care and hope to those who need it most.”

Presenting Sponsor Thomas S. Perakos added: ”What a fabulous evening for such a wonderful charity. I could not be more honored to partner with Broadway Cares to provide healthcare assistance to those in need in our Broadway family and community. I can’t wait for next year!”

Mark Shacket, partner at Foresight Theatrical, Brett Sirota, co-founder and partner at The Road Company and RoadCo Entertainment, and Alex Wolfe, general manager at Foresight Theatrical, returned as Broadway Bets’ tournament directors.

Early champions Robert E. Wankel, chairman and CEO of The Shubert Organization and president of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Board of Trustees, and the late Paul Libin, executive vice president emeritus of Jujamcyn Theaters and president emeritus of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Board of Trustees, served as founding co-chairs and played an instrumental role in making Broadway Bets possible. 

This year’s record took Broadway Bets’ total fundraising across its nine editions to $3.7 million.

The evening started with 55 Texas Hold ’em poker tables and 550 tournament players and onlookers filling the Edison Ballroom. By night’s end, just 10 competitors remained, bringing their sharpest poker faces to the championship table.

The final face-off featured Barclay investment banker Vivian Zheng, a theater fan and poker enthusiast, and Ryan Hinkle, a managing director at Insight Partners. Surrounded by a cheering crowd, Zheng ultimately bested Hinkle with a pair of aces.

As the winner, Zheng received flights between New York City and Los Angeles aboard an Aero private jet. Hinkle took home a luxurious stay at the Secret Villas in Key West, Florida.

The final table also featured, in order of finish: Gracie Lewis, booking agent at The Road Company; Michael Vermut, a Broadway Cares Angels Circle donor; Thomas Swayne, theatrical producer for this season’s Tony-nominated Oedipus; Eric Castaldo, a retiree who was the head of props at Hamilton; Samantha Kennedy, a Broadway Cares Angels Circle donor and volunteer; Alex Donnelly, senior vice president at PRG; Seth Gaven, a film marketing executive; and Tony-winning actor Marissa Jaret Winokur.

A slew of this Broadway season’s buzziest shows were represented with tables: Beaches, A New Musical; Death Becomes Her; Dog Day Afternoon; Every Brilliant Thing; Oedipus; Ragtime; Schmigadoon! and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). And the ship of dreams docked at the Edison, as the evening’s bar sponsor – complete with custom branded barware – was Titaníque. 

Going “all in” as “Full House” table sponsors were 321 Theatrical Management, AKA, The Araca Group, ATG Entertainment, Foresight Theatrical, John Gore Organization (Broadway Across America, Broadway.com), Kikis Family Foundation, LDK Productions, McDermott Will & Schulte, The Nederlander Organization, Neuberger Berman, PRG, Proskauer Rose LLP, RCI Theatricals, The Road Company, RoadCo Entertainment and Sony Masterworks, Satisfi Labs and Broadw.ai, Segal Consulting, Serino Coyne, The Shubert Organization, SINE Digital, SpotCo, Sweet Hospitality Group, TodayTix, Universal Theatrical Group, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and Withum. 

“Two-Pair” half-table sponsors were Actors’ Equity Association, Campus, Captivate, Disney Theatrical Group, Independent Presenters Network, Littler Mendelson, The Macallan, Jennifer Melin Miller & David Miller, The New York Times, Secret Villas of Key West and The Heslin Family Trust, Schultheis & Panettieri LLP, Situation Group and WME.

Returning as lead sponsors was City National Bank, the official bank of Broadway Bets. Aero was the evening’s Wi-Fi sponsor.