Irish Poker Open 2026: The Ultimate Player Guide
Last updated: April 7, 2026
The Irish Poker Open 2026 is one of the most spectacular poker festivals in Europe. Known as the longest-running No-Limit Texas Hold’em tournament outside of Las Vegas, the Irish Open combines world-class poker with the unmatched spirit of Irish hospitality.
The iconic event returned to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) from March 26 to April 6, 2026, attracting players in droves and setting a new attendance record for the Main Event.
This year’s festival brought an extensive schedule of 86 tournaments — 17 more than in 2025 — along with record-breaking prize pools across headline events.
Highlights included the €2,500,000 guaranteed Main Event and the €1,000,000 guaranteed Mini Irish Open.
The €1,000,000 guaranteed Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty also made a return. This event debuted in 2025 and became the biggest Mystery Bounty ever held in Ireland.
Irish Open 2026 Overview
The Irish Poker Open 2026 was the biggest edition in festival’s 46-year history, featuring:
- A record 86-event schedule
- €2.5 million guaranteed Main Event
- Popular side events like the Mini Irish Open and Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty
- Online qualifiers through PokerStars, iPoker, and Paddy Power Poker
Combining world-class poker with Irish hospitality and entertainment, the festival continues to honor its legacy while setting new records. And now, the festival is set to expand beyond Ireland and Europe with three new stops announced for 2026/27.
Irish Poker Open Goes Global
For the first time in its long history, Irish Poker Open will be traveling outside of Europe. Three brand-new stops have been announced for 2026/27, taking place in Africa, Asia, and the USA:
- Irish Poker Open Sydney, Australia – Sep 6 – 15, 2026
- Irish Poker Open Marrakech, Morocco – Nov 10 – 15, 2026
- Irish Poker Open USA – 2027 (details TBA)
Alongside these three new stops, the Irish Poker Open festival at Royal Dublin Society will return in 2027, probably during the March / April slot.
2026 Irish Poker Open Highlights
The 2026 schedule was stacked with a mix of returning favorites and exciting new formats designed to keep the action fierce from start to finish.
Main Event: Record-Breaking Attendance
The €2.5 million guaranteed Main Event was the crown of the 2026 Irish Open. Players and organizers alike had big expectations for the tournament, and these expectations came true. The €1,150 Main Event set a new attendance record, attracting a total of 5,003 entries, resulting in a prize pool of over €4,8 million.
The winner’s title went to Narcis Nedelcu, a player from Romania, who picked up the Irish Poker Open trophy and the first-place prize of €336,798. Nedelcu secured the win after a short heads-up skirmish with Danilo Donnini.
2026 Irish Open Main Event Summary
| Buy-in | €1,150 |
| Number of Entries | 5,003 |
| Guarantee | €2,500,000 |
| Final Prize Pool | €4,852,910 |
| Winner | Narcis Nedelcu (€336,798) |
Mini Irish Open: €1,000,000 Guarantee Broken
A fan-favorite event that delivers big value for a modest buy-in, the Mini Irish Open has become one of the most accessible ways for players to experience the thrill of a major international tournament.
In 2026, the tournament featured a buy-in of €250 and a handsome guarantee of €1,000,000. However, that guarantee was blown out of the water thanks to a total of 7,309 entries. Thanks to this turnout, the event ended up awarding €1,532,634.
Sami Agel walked away the winner, pocketing €150,855 for outlasting this massive field.
2026 Mini Irish Open Summary
| Buy-in | €250 |
| Number of Entries | 7,309 |
| Guarantee | €1,000,000 |
| Final Prize Pool | €1,532,634 |
| Winner | Sami Agel (€150,855) |
Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty: €1,000,000 Guaranteed
Introduced at the Irish Poker Open 2025, this instantly became the largest Mystery Bounty tournament in Irish history. It came back in 2026 with a €1M guarantee, promising plenty of drama as players hunted for massive bounties alongside tournament glory.
The tournament featured a buy-in of €1,150, which was split between the main and mystery bounty prize pools. It ended up attracting the field of 1,175 entries, and the last player standing out of that field was Romania’s Tudor Lazar who pocketed €96,700.
Ladies Events
Three ladies events were on the schedule at this year’s Irish Open. A €250 Ladies Championship, €1,150 Ladies High Roller, which was a brand new addition, and a Kings & Queens tournament where men and women were pitted against each other.
| Event | Winner |
|---|---|
| €250 Ladies Championship | Jennifer Frankenstein (€6,923) |
| €1,150 Ladies High Roller | Karen Muir (€16,200) |
| €250 Kings & Queens | Mike Koch (€5,000) |
Side Events & Championships
The expanded schedule included popular formats such as Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), High Roller events, Heads-Up Championships, Ladies Championship, Seniors Events, and mixed games. With 86 events in total, there was something for every type of poker player.
The Craic Den
More than just poker, the festival is known for its legendary entertainment hub, the Craic Den, where players and fans gather nightly for live music, parties, and the famously warm Irish atmosphere.
Irish Poker Open Online Satellites & Partnerships
The Irish Open owes much of its international success to its key partnerships with PokerStars, Paddy Power, and the iPoker Network. These partners once again offered extensive online qualification routes.
For 2026, online satellites were available on PokerStars and the iPoker network, giving players ample opportunities to win their seats in the Main Event, as well as other marquee tournaments.
“The Irish Open exemplifies the very best of live poker and offers an unforgettable experience,” Cedric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events at PokerStars said via press release ahead of the festival. “Nothing beats the community spirit at this multi-award-winning festival, and we are looking forward to keeping the buzz going for 2026 and welcoming our numerous online qualifiers.”
With new international Irish Poker Open stops announced for 2026 and 2027, these operators will likely be hosting online satellites for these events as well, and we’ll make sure to keep you up to date as the new information becomes available.
The History of the Irish Poker Open
The Irish Poker Open has a storied history dating back to 1980, when it was founded by bookmaker Terry Rogers. Inspired by the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, Rogers brought the format to Dublin, creating a unique blend of competitive poker and Irish hospitality that has endured for over four decades.
Key moments in its history include:
- First Major European No-Limit Hold’em Event: The Irish Open was the first of its kind outside of Las Vegas.
- Attracting Legends: The festival has welcomed poker greats such as Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, and Phil Hellmuth over the years.
- A Growing Legacy: From modest beginnings, the event has grown into a festival with tens of thousands of entries and multi-million-euro prize pools.
Today, the Irish Poker Open remains Europe’s oldest poker festival and one of the continent’s most prestigious poker traditions.
Looking Back: The 2025 Irish Poker Open
The 2025 festival set a new benchmark for live poker in Ireland:
- 69 events on schedule
- 25,000+ entries across the series
- €14.5 Million+ in total prize pools
- Record main event: 4,562 entries, €4,447,950 prize pool
In addition to record-breaking fields, the festival collected accolades, including:
- Best Stand-Alone Festival at the Global Poker Awards (Feb 2025)
- Best Live Poker Event at the SiGMA Awards (Sept 2025)
The introduction of the Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty and record numbers in the Main Event solidified the Irish Open’s reputation as a must-play global poker festival.
Irish Open FAQ 2026
When will the Irish Poker Open run in 2026?
The Irish Poker Open in partnership with PokerStars and PaddyPower took place March 26 to April 6, 2026.
Where is the IPO being held in 2026?
The Irish Poker Open takes place at Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland.
Does the Irish Poker Open return to Dublin next year?
Yes, it does! The 2027 Irish Poker Open should take place in March/April 2027 at Royal Dublin Society.
Can I qualify online to the IPO 2026?
The 2026 Irish Open is now over, but you should be able to qualify for new international Irish Poker Open stops playing out later in 2026 and in 2027. The first of these events takes place in Sydney, Australia, in September, and we expect the satellites to go live at least a few weeks ahead of time.
Who sponsored the Irish Poker Open 2026?
PokerStars and Paddy Power were once again supporting the IPO with headline sponsorship for 2026.
Can I win my way to the Irish Poker Open 2026?
Online satellites and qualifying routes were available on PokerStars, Paddy Power, and iPoker sites.