Broadway Bets raised $989,528 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at its 2026 annual game night. The event, which is produced by Broadway Cares, brought the Broadway community together for an evening of poker at the Edison Ballroom on May 18.
Tony Award-winning co-producer of “The Band’s Visit,” “Leopoldstadt” and the 2024 revival of “Sunset Boulevard” Thomas S. Perakos became Broadway Bets’ first-ever presenting sponsor at the event, committing to a contribution of more than $1 million over multiple years. Perakos’ investment will support funding for health care, health insurance, mental health support, counseling and emergency assistance for all members of the theater community.
“What a fabulous evening for such a wonderful charity,” said Perakos in a statement. “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!”
“Broadway Bets has always carried an incredible energy, but this year the joy and excitement in the room felt absolutely electric,” added Broadway Cares executive director Danny Whitman. “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.”
Attending Broadway Bets’ 2026 poker night were Christopher Abbott, Ben Ahlers, Patrick Ball, NSYNC’s Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, Kerry Butler, “The Lost Boys” producer James Carpinello, Nicholas Christopher, Deborah Cox, Robert Creighton, Hannah Cruz, Jordan Fisher, Ana Gasteyer, Frankie Grande, Jared Grimes, Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying and Adam Kantor (also a producer on “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”), Jennifer Nettles, Brad Oscar, Christiani Pitts, Mark Strong, Brent Thiessen, Sam Tutty, Edred Utomi, Layton Williams, Patrick Wilson and Marissa Jaret Winokur.
The evening saw 550 tournament players and onlookers gathering around 55 Texas Hold ‘Em tables. The final match-up pitted Barclays investment banker and theater enthusiast Vivian Zheng against Ryan Hinkle, a managing director at Insight Partners. Zheng won the round with a pair of aces, receiving flights between New York City and Los Angeles aboard a private jet provided by sponsor Aero. As the runner-up, Hinkle won a stay at Secret Villas in Key West, Florida.
The evening’s fundraising total of $989,528 broke its previous record of $546,500, set at the 2025 edition of the poker tournament. In total, Broadway Bets has raised $3.7 million across nine events.This year also saw a change of venue for Broadway Bets, previously held at Sardi’s, to the Edison Ballroom.
Multiple new shows of the 2025-2026 season sponsored tables at Broadway Bets, including “Beaches,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Every Brilliant Thing,” “Oedipus,” “Ragtime,” “Schmigadoon!” and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).” “Titaníque” served as the bar sponsor, with City National Bank as lead sponsor and Aero as Wi-Fi sponsor.
