Everything Players Need to Know About WPT Australia 2026

WPT Australia 2026 is shaping up as much more than a two-tournament trip to Sydney.

The festival will bring both a WPT Main Tour Championship and WPT Prime Championship to The Star Sydney from September 10-30. With further details now released, players have plenty more to chase than the two headline trophies.

The biggest WPT Australia festival to date features 36 events, nine WPT World Championship tickets, Player of the Festival and Team of the Festival awards, an extensive satellite schedule and special hotel rates for those who prefer their commute to involve an elevator rather than Sydney traffic.

In short, there are quite a few ways to leave Sydney with more than a few harbour photos and a story about a bad beat.

Australian Poker Cup Gets WPT Australia Underway

The AUD 5,000 WPT Australia Championship and AUD 1,500 WPT Prime Australia Championship remain the main attractions, but another major event will get the action started.

The AUD 1,150 Australian Poker Cup runs from September 10-14 and opens the festival before the WPT Prime Australia Championship takes centre stage from September 17-22. The WPT Australia Championship then closes the series from September 24-30.

For the first time, WPT Australia combines a Main Tour Championship and WPT Prime Championship within the same festival. Final tables for both Championship events will be livestreamed worldwide.

The wider 36-event schedule includes Pot Limit Omaha, bounty tournaments and a variety of other formats across a range of buy-ins. The AUD 500 Ladies Australian Championship will also return from September 15-16.

That gives players three weeks to find their preferred battleground, whether they are chasing the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup or looking for something beyond No Limit Hold’em.

Players can view the dates, buy-ins and complete list of tournaments on the WPT Australia 2026 schedule .

Nine WPT World Championship Tickets Available

Nine WPT World Championship tickets will also be awarded across WPT Australia 2026, adding another major prize for players to chase during the festival.

The tickets sit alongside the regular tournament prize pools and trophies available across the 36-event schedule.

Player of the Festival Rewards Consistency

One deep run is excellent. Several deep runs could be worth an additional USD 5,000.

The WPT Australia Player of the Festival race returns in 2026, with points awarded according to finishing position. The number of points available is determined by the event’s buy-in and total prize pool.

The player collecting the most points across eligible events will receive a USD 5,000 WPT Passport.

The points system gives players another reason to explore the full schedule and keep playing, even if an early trophy attempt ends sooner than planned.

Bring Four Mates and Chase the Team Award

Poker may be an individual game most of the time, but WPT Australia is again giving players the chance to blame their friends.

The Team of the Festival competition allows groups of five players to combine their Player of the Festival points. Registration costs AUD 2,500 per team, with no additional fee, and the leading teams will share the prize pool.

The winning team receives 50% of the prize pool, while second place collects 30% and third earns 20%. Every member of the winning team will also receive a trophy.

Players can only represent one team. Registrations must be completed and entry fees paid before registration closes for Day 1A of the Australian Poker Cup on September 10.

Teams can pre-register by emailing [email protected] with the names of all five players. Registration will also be available in person at The Star Sydney poker desk.

WPT Australia Satellites Running Throughout August

Players do not need to wait until September to begin their WPT Australia campaign.

The Star Sydney is running regular qualifiers throughout August and during the final days before the festival. Direct qualifier satellites for the AUD 5,000 WPT Australia Championship are available for AUD 290 and AUD 550, while AUD 290 “1 in 6” satellites offer routes into the WPT Prime Australia Championship.

Several AUD 550 qualifiers will award five Championship seats, including tournaments on August 8, August 15, August 22 and August 29.

Further qualifiers continue from September 1-9, with AUD 270 “1 in 5” satellites for the Australian Poker Cup added from September 5.

All listed pre-festival satellites allow unlimited re-entry and feature 20-minute levels. Players can find the latest satellite information through the official WPT Australia festival page.

Stay at The Star and Skip the Sydney Commute

Special player hotel rates are available for stays from September 9 to October 1, covering the entire WPT Australia 2026 festival.

• The Star Grand Superior King or Twin Room: AUD 249 per night from Sunday to Thursday and AUD 399 on Fridays and Saturdays
• The Star Grand Premium Harbour King or Twin Room: AUD 299 per night from Sunday to Thursday and AUD 449 on Fridays and Saturdays
• The Star Residences One-Bedroom Pyrmont View Apartment: AUD 349 per night from Sunday to Thursday and AUD 499 on Fridays and Saturdays
• The Star Residences Two-Bedroom Pyrmont View Apartment: AUD 599 per night from Sunday to Thursday and AUD 749 on Fridays and Saturdays

Players can book through The Star Sydney website using POKER as the booking code.

Availability is limited and the offer is subject to change or cancellation. The rates cannot be combined with another offer, benefit or discount.

Plan Ahead When Purchasing Tournament Entries

International and interstate players should pay particular attention to the entry process before arriving in Sydney.

The Star advises that, in line with the NSW Casino Control Act, a daily cash limit of AUD 5,000 applies to gaming play. All tournament entries, including satellites, must be purchased using gaming chips.

This makes advance planning particularly important for players entering the AUD 5,000 WPT Australia Championship or intending to play several events during the festival.

The Star has published step-by-step funds management and tournament entry guides covering the available processes.

Anyone with questions regarding funds transfers or purchasing tournament entries can contact [email protected].

International visitors looking for further information about local poker rules, taxation and travelling to the country can also read Somuchpoker’s Australia poker guide and wider Oceania poker guide.

Three Weeks of Poker in Sydney

With 36 events, two Championship tournaments and festival-long awards, WPT Australia 2026 offers plenty of reasons to remain at The Star Sydney beyond a single tournament.

Players can chase an individual title, assemble a five-person team, qualify through one of the many satellites or attempt the full three-week schedule.

Just remember to arrange the hotel and funds before sitting down. Nobody wants their biggest decision of the festival to involve Sydney traffic or an avoidable trip to the cashier.

Somuchpoker will be on site throughout WPT Australia 2026 as the Official Media Coverage Partner, providing live reporting, daily articles, interviews, chip counts, seat draws and social media content from The Star Sydney.

Images and event information courtesy of The Star Sydney and World Poker Tour .