Irish Open 2026: Dates and Tournament Schedule in Dublin

The organizers have announced the dates for the Irish Open 2026 — the largest poker series in Ireland. The festival will take place from March 26 to April 6 in Dublin.

The organizers of Ireland’s largest and most prestigious poker series have announced the dates for the Irish Open 2026. The 46th edition of the festival will take place from March 26 to April 6, 2026, at the famous Royal Dublin Society complex in Dublin. The full tournament schedule has already been published, along with key details of the upcoming event, which traditionally attracts thousands of players from around the world. Partners and Records: Results of Irish Open 2025 The Irish Open continues its partnership with leading poker platforms — PokerStars, Paddy Power Poker, and several sites from the iPoker network. Thanks to this collaboration, more than 1,300 players won seats to the Irish Open Main Event through online satellites in 2025. This led to a record-breaking turnout of 4,562 entries, with a prize pool reaching €4,447,950. The winner was Simon Wilson, who took home the top prize of €600,000. Cedric Billot, Deputy Director of Live Events at PokerStars, noted that he is pleased to continue the successful partnership with the Irish Open. According to him, the festival embodies the best traditions of live poker, bringing players together and creating a unique atmosphere for which the series is valued worldwide. Organizers expect that interest in the festival will remain high in 2026, with a significant number of online qualifiers once again. Main Events and Guarantees of Irish Open 2026 In 2026, the organizers are once again focusing on large-scale tournaments with seven-figure guarantees. The Main Event will run from March 29 to April 6 and will offer a guaranteed prize pool of €2,500,000 with a buy-in of €1,150. The first starting day (Day 1a) begins on March 29 at 12:00, and the last, turbo Day 1e, will take place on April 3. This will be followed by Day 2 (April 4), Day 3 (April 5), and the final, where the champion will be determined, on April 6. Paul O'Reilly, one of the Irish Open organizers, emphasized that the festival is not just about competing for prizes, but also an annual gathering of like-minded people — a tradition that has united players since 1980. According to him, 2025 saw new records set for both attendance and atmosphere in the famous Craic Den area. In 2026, the team plans to make the festival even bigger and more vibrant. In addition to the Main Event, two more tournaments will feature guarantees of at least €1,000,000: Luxon Mystery Bounty (€1,150) — a tournament with a unique format where part of the prize pool is awarded as random bounties for knocking out opponents. In 2025, this tournament paid out €1,191,450. Mini Irish Open (€250) — an affordable buy-in tournament designed for mass participation. In 2025, the Mini Irish Open prize pool reached €1,309,447. Thus, in 2026, three Irish Open tournaments will feature seven-figure guarantees, highlighting the scale and prestige of the series. Schedule and Formats: Variety for Everyone The Irish Open 2026 schedule includes tournaments for almost every taste. Buy-ins range from €120 to €5,000, allowing both beginners and professionals to take part. In addition to classic No-Limit Hold'em, the program features: Pot-Limit Omaha — a popular poker variant with four hole cards; Sviten Special — a rare format combining elements of Omaha and Draw; 8-Game Mix — a mix of eight poker disciplines, requiring versatile skills; Old Dogs and Young Pups — a unique tournament inspired by the Battle of the Ages format from WSOP 2025, where players of different generations face off. For cash game enthusiasts, the organizers have set aside a dedicated area with 50 tables, operating around the clock. This ensures action at any time of day or night, with a high level of play thanks to the international mix of guests. Full Schedule of Irish Open 2026 Below is the full list of key Irish Open 2026 tournaments with dates and main details (according to information published by the organizers): Main Event : €1,150 buy-in, €2,500,000 guarantee, Day 1a — March 29, Day 1e (turbo) — April 3, final day — April 6. Luxon Mystery Bounty : €1,150 buy-in, €1,000,000 guarantee. Mini Irish Open : €250 buy-in, €1,000,000 guarantee. Additional tournaments with buy-ins from €120 to €5,000, including Pot-Limit Omaha, Sviten Special, 8-Game Mix, and Old Dogs and Young Pups formats. A detailed schedule with exact dates and start times for each tournament is available on the official Irish Open website and from the series’ partners. Where to Stay: Accommodation Tips The organizers strongly recommend booking accommodation in advance for the festival period, as demand for hotels during the Irish Open is traditionally very high. Recommended options include: Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge — from €207 per night with breakfast; Herbert Park Hotel — from €215 per night; Intercontinental Hotel — from €330 per night; Sandymount Hotel — from €175 per night; You can also use the services of the official travel partner MainEventTravel.com. Booking early will help you avoid accommodation issues and allow you to focus on the game and the festival atmosphere. Context: History and Significance of the Irish Open The Irish Open is the oldest poker festival in Europe, first held in 1980. Over the decades, it has become not only the largest poker event in Ireland but also one of the most respected tournaments on the continent. The festival is renowned not only for its large prize pools but also for its special atmosphere of hospitality, which attracts both professionals and poker enthusiasts. In 2025, the series set new records for attendance and prize money, while the Craic Den area became the hub of socializing and entertainment for guests. Organizers note that the Irish Open is not just about competing for titles, but also a unique opportunity for players from around the world to meet, share experiences, and become part of the big poker family. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, the announcement of the Irish Open 2026 is a great reason to consider planning to participate in high-level live tournaments. Thanks to the Irish Open’s partnership with leading online platforms, many players have the chance to qualify for the Main Event through online satellites without leaving home. This is a real opportunity to attend Europe’s largest festival, even with a limited bankroll. The Irish Open 2026 schedule includes tournaments with various buy-ins and formats, allowing you to choose the best option based on your experience and preferences. If you are an active PPPoker club player, pay attention to the disciplines featured in the festival program and prepare in advance to participate in similar formats. Moreover, the experience gained in online games and club tournaments will help you feel more confident at live tables. Taking part in the Irish Open is not only a chance to win big prizes, but also an opportunity to meet like-minded people, share experiences, and become part of the international poker community. Follow the news in PPPoker clubs so you don’t miss information about satellites and special promotions related to Irish Open 2026.