Irish Poker Open Debuts in Sydney with AUD 1.85M Guaranteed

The Irish Poker Open (IPO) Sydney 2026 will bring one of poker’s most iconic brands to Australia from August 31 to September 14. Taking place at Poker Palace Sydney, the 15-day festival features 42 tournaments, including the AUD 1 million guaranteed Irish Open Main Event, along with a wide range of championship events, high rollers, satellites, and mixed games.

Originally established in 1980, the Irish Open is Europe's longest-running No-Limit Hold'em tournament series and has become one of the big brands in live poker. Players from Australia and worldwide can now experience the famous Irish Open in Sydney.

Total 42-Tournament Schedule

The festival schedule offers something for every bankroll, from affordable daily satellites to some of the biggest buy-in events of the series.

AUD 1 Million Guaranteed Main Event

The highlight of the festival is the AUD 1 million guaranteed Irish Open Main Event, taking place from September 6 to 14.

The tournament features a AUD 2,000 buy-in and six starting flights, including two turbo flights, giving players plenty of chances to enter and build their stack before Day 2. Players start with a 50,000-chip stack, with 60-minute blind levels on Day 2 before the final table takes place on September 14.

For those looking for a cheaper way to enter, Main Event satellites will run throughout the festival with a AUD 250 buy-in, offering players more chances to win a seat.

Mini Irish Open and Lucky 8's Kick Off the Festival

The festival kicks off with the AUD 500,000 guaranteed Mini Irish Open, offering an affordable AUD 360 buy-in and eleven starting flights over the first two weeks. The event will finish on September 11 and is expected to draw one of the biggest fields of the series.

Another early highlight is the AUD 250,000 guaranteed Lucky 8's. Taking place from September 2 to 6, the tournament has an AUD 880 buy-in, five starting flights, and an 80,000-chip starting stack.

High Rollers, Mystery Bounty, and Championship Events

Beyond the headline tournaments, Irish Poker Open Sydney offers one of the most diverse schedules seen in Australia this year.

High-stakes players can battle in the AUD 10,000 Super High Roller 8-Max, alongside the AUD 5,000 High Roller 8-Max and the AUD 3,000 High Roller 8-Max later in the series.

The schedule also includes the AUD 2,000 NLH 8-Max Mystery Bounty, Mixed 8-Game Championship, Big O Championship, PLO events, Sviten Special Championship, 2-7 Triple Draw Championship, Asia-Pacific Cup, Ladies Championship, Seniors 50+ Championship, Deaf Championship Main Event, and concludes with The Irish Goodbye.

Following the Main Event, players can also take aim at the AUD 100,000 guaranteed Sydney Poker Open, providing another marquee title before the festival comes to a close.

Plan Your Irish Poker Open Sydney Trip

With 42 exciting tournaments taking place over 15 action-packed days, Irish Poker Open Sydney 2026 offers something for every type of player, regardless of bankroll or preferred poker format. From the AUD 360 Mini Irish Open to AUD 10,000 Super High Roller, the schedule is packed with thrilling championship events, satellites, mixed games, bounty tournaments, and high-stakes action.

Visit the Irish Poker Open Sydney 2026 festival page for the latest announcements and tournament information.

Irish Open Heads to Sydney After Record-Breaking Dublin Festival

The 2026 Irish Open arrives in Sydney following one of the most successful editions in the festival's history. Earlier this year, the Dublin Main Event attracted a record 5,003 entries from 60 countries, nearly doubling its €2.5 million guarantee to generate a €4,852,910 prize pool. Romania's Narcis Nedelcu emerged victorious after four days of action, adding another memorable chapter to the Irish Open's rich history.

The record-breaking turnout also marked the beginning of the Irish Open's international expansion, with Sydney becoming the first overseas stop under the iconic brand. Players heading to Australia can now look forward to experiencing the same prestigious festival atmosphere, highlighted by an AUD 1 million guaranteed Main Event and a 15-day schedule featuring 42 tournaments.

Poker Palace Sydney: What to Expect

Players visiting Poker Palace Sydney can stay at the official partner hotels, Novotel Sydney Cabramatta and Mercure Sydney Liverpool. Both hotels offer comfortable rooms, good facilities, and easy access to the poker room, making them great choices during major poker events.

For more information on the hotels in Sydney, visit the Irish Poker Open website.