The 2026 Irish Open returns to the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge, Dublin from March 26 to April 6, with organizers PokerStars and Paddy Power Poker billing the 46th edition as the biggest yet. The 12-day festival spans 86 tournaments, 50-plus cash game tables running around the clock, and a Main Event guaranteed at €2,500,000.
A free player's guide covering the venue, tournament schedule, payment options, satellites, and on-site amenities is now available to download through official channels.
Main Event at a Glance
The €1,150 buy-in Main Event opens its first starting flight on March 29 and plays down to a champion on April 6. Five Day 1 flights are on offer, each permitting a single re-entry with late registration open through the first ten levels.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Buy-In | €1,150 |
| Guarantee | €2,500,000 |
| Starting Chips | 50,000 |
| Clock | 45 mins |
| Day 1 Flights | 5 (March 29, April 1, 2, 3, 4) |
| Final Day | April 6 |
| Format | Single Re-Entry per Flight |
The final stages will be broadcast live, with James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton on commentary alongside analyst Nick Walsh and 2017 Irish Open champion Griffin Benger. The stream runs across PokerStars' YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook channels, as well as the Irish Open's own YouTube page.
High Roller Schedule
The 2026 edition features a stacked lineup of high roller events at varying buy-in levels.
| Event | Buy-In | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cuarto PLO High Roller 8-Max | €3,000 | March 27–28 |
| Cuatro NLH High Roller 8-Max | €3,000 | March 29–30 |
| PLO High Roller 8-Max | €5,000 | March 30–31 |
| NLH High Roller 8-Max | €5,000 | March 31–April 1 |
| NLH Super High Roller 8-Max | €10,000 | April 2–3 |
Several of these events are new additions to the Irish Open schedule.
Featured Side Events
The Luxon Mystery Bounty headlines the opening stretch of the festival with a €1,000,000 guarantee and a €1,150 buy-in. Four Day 1 flights run from March 26 to 28, with Day 2 and the Final Day wrapping up the event on March 30 and 31 respectively.
The Mini Irish Open, at €250 buy-in and €1,000,000 guaranteed, runs a record 14 starting flights between March 26 and April 5, with the Final Day on April 6.
Other notable events across the festival include:
| Event | Buy-In | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PLO 7-Max | €1,150 | March 28 |
| NLH 6-Max Championship | €350 | March 30–31 |
| NLH 8-Max | €1,150 | March 30–31 |
| PLO 8-Max | €1,150 | March 31–April 1 |
| NLH Mystery Bounty | €550 | April 2 |
| America's Cup | €350 | April 2–3 |
| NLH Super High Roller 8-Max | €10,000 | April 2–3 |
| PLO 6-Max Championship | €350 | April 2–3 |
| Ladies Championship | €250 | April 2–3 |
| Seniors High Roller (50+) | €1,150 | April 2–3 |
| JP Poker Masters | €550 | April 4–5 |
| High Roller 8-Max | €3,000 | April 4–5 |
| PLO Mystery Bounty 8-Max | €1,150 | April 4–5 |
| Ladies High Roller Championship | €1,150 | April 5–6 (NEW) |
| Seniors Championship | €350 | April 5–6 |
| NLH Mystery Bounty | €1,150 | April 5–6 |
| Triathlon Championship | €350 | April 6 (NEW) |
| Liam Flood Memorial 6-Max Turbo | €350 | April 6 |
New for 2026: Kings and Queens, APAT Championship, Deaf NLH Mystery Bounty, Ladies High Roller Championship, Triathlon Championship, and several Flip and Go events.
Getting There: Power Path and Satellites
Players looking to qualify online can use PokerStars' Power Path, a four-step progression that awards Bronze, Silver, or Gold Power Passes redeemable for live festival packages covering entry fees, travel, and expenses. Step 1 tickets are periodically available for free through PokerStars Rewards, making it possible to enter the pipeline at no cost.
Silver Pass winners choose between two packages for the March 26 to April 6 window:
Irish Open Emerald Edition
- €1,150 Main Event entry
- €350 side event entry
- €250 Mini Irish Open ticket
- Remaining value credited for expenses
- Limited edition merchandise and event liaison support
- Exclusive Irish Open activities
Spraggy's Emerald Edition
- €1,150 Main Event entry
- €550 Spraggy's Mystery Bounty entry
- €250 Mini Irish Open ticket
- Meet-and-greet with Ben "Spraggy" Spragg
- Entry to Spraggy's Quid Games on April 1 at the Craic Den
- Remaining value credited for expenses
- Limited edition merchandise and event liaison support
- Exclusive Irish Open activities
Traditional satellites run daily on both PokerStars and Paddy Power Poker, with on-site satellite flights scheduled throughout the festival at the RDS.
Key Festival Details
| Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | March 26 – April 6, 2026 |
| Venue | Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin |
| Total Events | 86 |
| Cash Games | 50+ tables, 24/7 |
| Registration Desk Opens | 11am, March 26 |
| Craic Den Hours | Daily, 12pm – 2am |
Online registration via Luxon Pay or PokerStars is strongly recommended. The full player's guide is free to download from official festival channels.
