The Irish Poker Open is the longest-running No Limit Texas Hold'em tournament in Europe and one of the most established live poker festivals in the world, dating back to 1980. The 46th edition runs in Dublin from March 26 to April 6, 2026, at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), with a €1,150 Main Event carrying a €2.5 million guaranteed prize pool. In 2026 the brand also goes global for the first time, with additional Irish Poker Open festivals announced in Sydney and Marrakech, plus a United States stop planned for 2027.
Irish Poker Open 2026 at a Glance
- Festival dates (Dublin): March 26 – April 6, 2026
- Venue: Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland
- Main Event buy-in: €1,150
- Main Event guarantee: €2,500,000
- Festival scope: Dozens of events including the Main Event, Mini Irish Open, Mystery Bounties, High Rollers, mixed games, Seniors, Ladies, and more
- Online partners / qualifiers: PokerStars, Paddy Power Poker, and selected iPoker skins, with more than 1,300 online qualifiers feeding the 2025 Main Event and similar volume expected in 2026
- Latest record: 2026 Main Event drew a record 5,003 entries and generated a prize pool of €4,852,910, smashing the €2.5 million guarantee.
- International expansion: New Irish Poker Open festivals in Sydney (Australia) and Marrakech (Morocco) in 2026; U.S. debut planned for 2027.
Irish Poker Open 2026 Dublin Highlights
| Event | Entries | Total Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €1,150 Main Event | 5,003 | €4,852,910 | Narcis Nedelcu | €336,798* |
| €1,150 Luxon Mystery Bounty | 1,175 | 569,875 | Tudor Lazar | €96,700 |
| €250 APAT Championship | 366 | €76,329 | Colin Fox | €12,400 |
| €250 Mini Irish Open | 7,349 | €1,532,634 | Sami Agel | €150,855 |
| €350 6-Max Championship | 865 | €260,106 | Leonidas Georgopoulos | €45,700 |
| €5,000 High Roller 8-Max | 73 | €336,348 | Roope Tarmi | €88,000 |
| €10,000 Super High Roller 8-Max | 13 | €122,948 | Roope Tarmi | €79,945 |
| €350 PLO 6-Max Championship | 394 | €118,476 | Gareth McMahon | €23,825 |
| €1,050 Mystery Bounty 8-Max | 379 | €193,006 | Trevor Reardon | €38,450 |
| €350 THMC | 1,067 | €320,847 | Martin Byrne | €45,040 |
Irish Poker Open – Main Event Results
The Irish Poker Open Main Event has been on a straight-up heater. Entries have more than doubled in just three years pushing the prize pool from €2.4M to €4.85M and cementing the Irish Open as one of the fastest-growing live festivals in Europe. The numbers don't lie: this thing is printing.
| Year | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | €5,003 | €4,852,910 | Narcis Nedelcu | €336,798* |
| 2025 | €4,562 | 4,447,950 | Simon Wilson | €600,000 |
| 2024 | €3,233 | €3,152,175 | Tero Laurila | €292,735 |
| 2023 | 2,491 | €2,428,725 | David Docherty | €365,000 |
International Irish Poker Open Stops 2026
In 2026, the Irish Poker Open brand expands beyond Dublin for the first time, with two confirmed international festivals: IPO Sydney and Marrakech.
Irish Poker Open Sydney 2026
Sydney hosts the first ever international Irish Poker Open festival in September 2026.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| City / Country | |
| Venue | |
| Festival dates | |
| Main Event buy-in | $2,000 |
| Main Event GTD | $1,000,000 |
The Sydney stop is designed as a full festival with numerous tournaments leading into a $2,000 buy‑in Main Event carrying a $1,000,000 guarantee, hosted at the established Poker Palace room at Club Marconi.
Irish Poker Open Marrakech 2026
Marrakech hosts the second international Irish Poker Open festival in November 2026.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| City / Country | |
| Venue | |
| Festival dates | |
| Main Event buy-in | $1,150 |
| Main Event GTD | $500,000 |
Casino de Marrakech has a long history of hosting international poker festivals, and the Irish Poker Open Marrakech stop is positioned as a mid‑stakes, destination‑style festival with a €1,150 Main Event and significant side‑event volume.
Irish Poker Open USA (Planned for 2027)
Alongside the 2026 Sydney and Marrakech festivals, organisers have confirmed a United States Irish Poker Open stop planned for 2027.
- Dates: 2027 (exact dates TBA)
- Location: TBA
- Format: Full Irish Poker Open‑style festival with a branded Main Event, side events, and the signature Irish Open atmosphere
Although details are not yet finalized, the U.S. stop is positioned as the next step in the brand’s international rollout, aiming to bring the Dublin‑style festival experience (including features like the Craic Den player lounge) to an American property.
How to Qualify for the Irish Poker Open
There are mainly two ways to qualify for the Irish Poker Open: online qualifiers or direct buy-in at the venue.
Online Satellites (Dublin Main Festival)
The 2026 Irish Poker Open continues the sponsorship partnership with PokerStars and Paddy Power, plus selected rooms on the iPoker Network. In 2025, this trio of partners sent more than 1,300 online qualifiers to the Main Event, helping drive a 4,562‑entry field and a €4,447,950 prize pool; similar or higher volumes are targeted for 2026.
Typical online qualification routes include:
- Direct seat satellites: Single‑step tournaments where one in X players win a €1,150 Main Event seat
- Step systems: Low‑buy‑in feeders (e.g., €5–€20) into higher‑buy‑in finals awarding Main Event seats
- Special promotions: Seat giveaways, leaderboard promotions, and package qualifiers on PokerStars and Paddy Power around peak qualification periods (late winter and early spring)
Live Satellites
Live satellites are traditionally offered throughout the Irish Poker Open festival in Dublin as well as at selected partner venues in Ireland and abroad. These range from lower‑buy‑in turbo satellites up through higher‑price mega‑sats, typically scheduled in the evenings or on days immediately before Main Event flights.
For the new international stops (Sydney and Marrakech), organizers have indicated that full satellite plans will be confirmed closer to the festival dates, including both local live satellites and possible online feeders via partner platforms.
Venue & Travel Guide to Dublin Royal Dublin Society (RDS)
The Dublin festival is held at the Royal Dublin Society, a large event complex in Ballsbridge, a central district of Dublin.
Venue & Travel Guide to Dublin Royal Dublin Society (RDS)
The Dublin festival is held at the Royal Dublin Society, a large event complex in Ballsbridge, a central district of Dublin.
PRACTICAL INFO
- Address: Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 AK83, Ireland
- Access: Convenient to Dublin city centre by bus, taxi, or short rideshare; roughly 20–30 minutes from Dublin Airport in typical traffic
- Accommodation: Mix of official partner hotels and a wide range of nearby options across Ballsbridge and central Dublin, from mid‑range hotels to premium properties; many packages are sold via travel partners such as MainEventTravel
- On‑site experience: Large tournament room with multiple side-event areas, feature tables, and The Craic Den player lounge with live music and entertainment on many nights
What to Expect at the Irish Poker Open
The Irish Poker Open is designed as a festival as much as a tournament series, with a strong social atmosphere and deep schedule.
So here's what to expect from your Irish Poker Open experience:
- Big‑field Main Event: Multi‑day, multi‑flight structure with thousands of entries and a mix of local players, UK & European regulars, and online qualifiers from multiple sites
- Wide event mix: Mystery bounties, mixed games, high rollers, Seniors, Ladies, Heads‑Up, and low‑buy‑in deepstacks, ensuring something for all bankrolls
- Cash game action: Cash games running alongside the tournaments, particularly NLH and PLO at a range of stakes (details vary by year)
- Festival atmosphere: Heavy focus on the "craic", meaning live music, player lounge, side activities, and a generally relaxed but high‑energy environment in the main room and bars
Tips for First‑Time Players
- Plan dates early: Lock in travel and accommodation once your target Main Event flight is chosen, especially for Dublin where festival‑time hotel demand is high.
- Satellite smart: Use online step satellites and live mega‑sats to reduce cost of entry, particularly if playing multiple events.
- Keep an eye on special promotions: Event partners like LuxonPay regularly offer exclusive promotions
- Pick the right Day 1: Later flights often attract more last‑minute entries and recreational players, while earlier flights may be slightly reg‑heavier but less hectic.
- Bankroll management: Treat the festival as a series, not just a single bullet; plan for side events and satellites as part of the overall package.
- Pace yourself (it's going to get wild): The Dublin festival is known for long days and lively nights, which is why balancing off‑table socializing with rest has real EV.
Irish Poker Open FAQs
When and where is the Irish Poker Open 2026?
The Irish Poker Open 2026 runs from March 26 to April 6, 2026, at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland.
What is the buy-in for the Irish Poker Open Main Event?
The Irish Poker Open Main Event buy-in is €1,150, with a guaranteed prize pool of €2,500,000. The 2026 edition smashed that guarantee, generating a record €4,852,910 prize pool from 5,003 entries.
How can I qualify for the Irish Poker Open online?
The main online qualification routes are through PokerStars and Paddy Power Poker, where satellites run year-round from low buy-ins up to direct Main Event seat qualifiers. Live satellites are also available on-site at the RDS throughout the festival.
What events are on at the Irish Poker Open besides the Main Event?
The Irish Poker Open runs a full festival schedule of 86+ events, including the Mini Irish Open, Luxon Mystery Bounty, NLH and PLO High Rollers, 6-Max Championship, THMC, Super High Roller, Seniors, Ladies, and more, covering a wide range of buy-ins and formats across the full festival.
Is the Irish Poker Open going international in 2026?
Yes. For the first time in its 46-year history, the Irish Poker Open is expanding beyond Dublin with two international stops in 2026: Sydney, Australia (September 6–15) and Marrakech, Morocco (November 10–15). A U.S. stop is also planned for 2027.