Milwaukee Man Wins First-Ever Uno Elite Championship

Ian Thompson takes home $10,000 prize after tournament victory in Las Vegas.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Ian Thompson, a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was crowned the inaugural Uno Elite champion after competing in a high-stakes tournament in Las Vegas. Thompson took home the $10,000 grand prize after emerging victorious in the new competitive Uno format.

Why it matters

The Uno Elite championship represents the growing popularity and professionalization of classic tabletop games. As competitive gaming continues to expand into new realms, the success of events like Uno Elite demonstrates how traditional pastimes can find new life in the world of esports and tournament play.

The details

Thompson bested a field of top Uno players from across the country to claim the Uno Elite title. The new tournament format features specialized rules and gameplay designed to create a more strategic and high-intensity Uno experience for competitors.

  • The Uno Elite championship tournament took place in Las Vegas on February 10-12, 2026.
  • Ian Thompson was announced as the winner on February 13, 2026.

The players

Ian Thompson

A resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin who was crowned the first-ever Uno Elite champion after winning the tournament in Las Vegas.

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What they’re saying

“Winning the Uno Elite championship was an incredible experience. I've been playing Uno my whole life, but this tournament really took the game to a new level of strategy and competition.”

— Ian Thompson (FOX6 News)

What’s next

The Uno Elite tournament is expected to return in 2027 as an annual competitive event, drawing top Uno players from around the world to compete for the championship title and prize money.

The takeaway

The success of the inaugural Uno Elite championship highlights how classic tabletop games can find new life in the world of professional competitive gaming, attracting both longtime fans and new players drawn to the thrill of high-stakes tournament play.