The Irish Open, Europe’s oldest running poker festival, has confirmed its return to Dublin in 2026. The 46th edition will take place at the Royal Dublin Society from March 26 to April 6, 2026, featuring a packed schedule of tournaments and a mix of formats designed to attract players from across the globe.
Collaboration with Online Poker Partners
The festival will once again partner with PokerStars, Paddy Power Poker, and select iPoker Network sites. In 2025, this collaboration helped send over 1,300 players to the Irish Open Main Event via online satellites. The result was a record 4,562 entries, generating a €4,447,950 prize pool and awarding €600,000 to champion Simon Wilson.
Cedric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events at PokerStars, said continuing the partnership reflects the strength of the festival. He noted that the Irish Open represents the best of live poker, offering unforgettable experiences and community spirit. According to Billot, the team looks forward to welcoming online qualifiers and keeping the atmosphere alive for 2026.
Three Major Events with Seven-Figure Guarantees
The centerpiece of the 2026 Irish Open is the Main Event, which comes with a €2.5 million guaranteed prize pool for a €1,150 buy-in.
- Day 1 flights: March 29 to April 3 (including turbo Day 1e on April 3)
- Day 2: April 4
- Day 3: April 5
- Final Day: April 6
Festival co-organizer Paul O’Reilly highlighted the growth of the event, describing the Irish Open as more than just a poker tournament. He emphasized its history of Irish hospitality, community, and tradition since its launch in 1980, and expressed confidence that 2026 will surpass the record-breaking achievements of 2025.
In addition to the Main Event, two other tournaments carry €1 million guarantees:
- €1,150 Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty
- €250 Mini Irish Open
The 2025 editions of these tournaments delivered prize pools of €1,191,450 and €1,309,447 respectively.
Varied Formats and Buy-ins Across the Festival
The 2026 schedule features buy-ins ranging from €120 to €5,000, with events covering:
- No-Limit Hold’em
- Pot-Limit Omaha
- Sviten Special
- 8-Game Mix
- “Old Dogs and Young Pups,” a generational contest inspired by the WSOP Battle of the Ages
Alongside tournaments, the Irish Open will maintain its reputation for lively cash games. A dedicated area with up to 50 tables will operate 24 hours a day throughout the festival.
Anticipation for Dublin’s 2026 Festival
With record participation in 2025, three seven-figure guaranteed tournaments, and a diverse lineup of events, the Irish Open 2026 is expected to be one of the biggest poker festivals ever held in Ireland. Players from around the world are already making plans to be part of the action in Dublin next March.
