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Stake had a big week. On 11 March 2026, the world's largest crypto casino and sportsbook announced one of the most recognisable names in world football as its newest global ambassador. On 5 March 2026, it had already launched a brand new fast-fold poker format with $1 million in Cash Drops. Two major moves within days — here's what both mean for players.
Eden Hazard Joins Stake as Global Ambassador
Former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Belgium captain Eden Hazard has signed with Stake as a global brand ambassador ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The partnership was officially announced on 11 March 2026.
Hazard, 35, retired from professional football in October 2023 after a career that included the UEFA Champions League, two Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, and two Europa League trophies. As Belgium's captain from 2015 to 2022, he made 126 international appearances and led his country to a fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup — Belgium reached the semi-finals, their best result in 32 years.
He is now one of the most recognisable football figures globally, with over 58 million followers across social media: 27 million on Instagram, 21 million on Facebook, 6.3 million on X, and 3.75 million on Weibo — giving him significant reach across Europe, South America, and Asia.
Eden Hazard said at the announcement: "I'm really excited to be joining Stake at such an important time in the football calendar. The World Cup remains the pinnacle of our sport — the dream every player chases — and I've been fortunate enough to experience it on some of the biggest stages. Football has given me so many incredible memories, from lifting domestic and European trophies, to representing my country as captain. Now, in this next chapter, I can't wait to engage with fans in new and meaningful ways, sharing insights, excitement, and the pure joy of football together with Stake."
Stake CMO Akhil Sarin added: "With the 2026 World Cup set to be the biggest football tournament in history, this is a defining moment for fans and brands alike. Eden Hazard is a player who embodies creativity, flair and big-stage performance — qualities that resonate strongly with our global community. His worldwide appeal and deep connection with fans across Europe, Asia and beyond make him the perfect addition to our ambassadorial roster."
Hazard joins a roster of high-profile Stake ambassadors that already includes former Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas — who signed in December 2025 — as well as Sergio Agüero and Patrice Evra. The timing is deliberate: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer, will feature 48 teams for the first time and is expected to reach record global audiences.
What Is Next! — Stake's New Fast-Fold Poker Format
On 5 March 2026, Stake launched Next! — a new fast-fold poker variant available on both the global Stake platform (from 5 March) and Stake.us, the US sweepstakes platform (from 3 March).
The concept is simple: when you fold, you don't wait. You are instantly moved to a new table with a fresh hand and new opponents. No downtime, no waiting for the rest of the table to finish the hand. It is the same mechanic that has made fast-fold formats popular on traditional poker platforms — now available on Stake for the first time.
Next! is available for both cash games and tournaments, currently running at micro stakes from $0.01/$0.02 up to $0.25/$0.50 tables, with higher stakes potentially following depending on player uptake.
The $1 Million Cash Drops — How It Works
To celebrate the Next! launch, Stake committed $1 million in Cash Drops — distributed randomly across Next! tables for the duration of the promotion. Here is exactly how it works:
- Cash drops occur randomly at active Next! tables — no specific hand or combination required
- When a drop triggers, between 3 and 10 Big Blinds are added directly to the pot (up to 100 BB maximum per selected hand)
- All active players at the selected table are eligible
- Available on both Next! cash game tables and Stake.us sweepstakes tables
- The $1,000,000 fund runs until it is fully claimed — once it's gone, it's gone
Stake's official announcement: "No hoops to jump through, just pure, lightning-fast action with a chance to boost your stack every time you fold and move."
Why This Matters for Stake Players
Two announcements in one week signal where Stake is heading in 2026: deeper into mainstream sports culture with high-profile athlete partnerships, and broader in product with new game formats beyond slots and traditional casino. The World Cup timing for the Hazard deal is not coincidental — Stake already holds sponsorship partnerships with the UFC, X Games, and major sports organisations globally, and the summer of 2026 represents a massive marketing opportunity with a 48-team World Cup reaching a potential global audience of billions.
For poker players specifically, Next! fills a gap that many Stake regulars have been waiting for. Fast-fold poker is one of the most popular formats on traditional platforms — its arrival on Stake, backed by a $1 million launch promotion, makes this a genuine product expansion rather than a cosmetic update.
If you're not yet playing on Stake, this is a good moment to start — the $1M Cash Drops fund is live now and reduces as players claim it. Our full Stake Casino review covers everything: games, withdrawals, and how to claim your rakeback from day one.
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Sources: iGaming Business (11 Mar 2026), SBC News (11 Mar 2026), GamblingNews.com (12 Mar 2026), VegasSlotsOnline (11 Mar 2026), PokerHeaven (12 Mar 2026), Pokerfuse (10 Mar 2026), Stake.com official promotions page, Tribuna.com (11 Mar 2026), iGaming Future (12 Mar 2026). All figures verified as of 15 March 2026. PlayOnStake is an independent affiliate — all casinos mentioned are independently reviewed. Gambling involves risk — only play with funds you can afford to lose. 18+ only. See all crypto casino bonuses →