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Irish Poker Open International: Sydney, Marrakech, and USA Dates
- Irish Poker Open goes global with stops in Australia, Morocco, and the USA.
- New events in Sydney and Marrakech integrate with the flagship Dublin festival.
- The international expansion aims to enhance the global poker community.
https://youtu.be/Sk4wwC8r47k?si=7VD_-3_g-0aWID4t
During Level 8 of the 2026 Main Event, the Irish Poker Open announced it was transitioning from a Dublin-centric festival into a worldwide circuit. During the 2026 Main Event that the world’s oldest No Limit Hold’em festival outside of Las Vegas will debut international stops in Australia, Morocco, and the United States across 2026 and 2027.
The 2026 International Calendar
The first stage of the international rollout centers on Sydney and Marrakech. These events are designed as full-scale standalone festivals, though they will also integrate with the flagship Dublin event through shared qualification routes.
| Destination | Venue | Date | Key Highlight |
| Sydney, Australia | The Poker Palace | September 6–15, 2026 | 10-day festival; $2,000 Main Event with $1M GTD |
| Marrakech, Morocco | Casino de Marrakech | November 10–15, 2026 | 6-day festival; €1,150 Main Event with €500k GTD |
The "Craic" Strategy and Player Experience
The primary differentiator for the international stops will be the inclusion of the "Craic Den," the social hub of the Dublin festival. According to co-owner Paul O’Reilly, the social component is as critical as the professional tournament structure.
Co-owner, O'Reilly said:
The Irish Open is widely recognised as one of the best-run festivals in the world. But equally important is the unique atmosphere, the friendliness, warmth, and fun which is the hallmark of Irish hospitality. I know that, for many players, the off-the-felt fun in the Craic Den is the reason they keep coming back. We’re very excited that we can now introduce that experience to new audiences.
Historical Context and US Expansion
The move into the United States in 2027 carries significant historical weight for the brand. The Irish Open was founded in 1980 by Terry Rogers after an encounter with Benny Binion in Las Vegas. Bringing the brand back to America is viewed as a completion of that historical circle.
O'Reilly noted:
The game itself came from America... so being ‘international’ is in our DNA. The Irish Open has been held in Dublin since 1980... but we are also passionate about innovation, so exporting the brand—taking the Irish Open global—is a very logical next step.
Strategic Vision for 2030
The long-term roadmap is focused on the festival's 50th anniversary. Co-owner JP McCann explained that the international festivals will bolster the Dublin event by offering global "Day 1s" that feed directly into the flagship prize pool.
McCann stated:
Paul and I took over this event over 10 years ago, and from day one the vision was clear—grow the Irish Open and take it global. Ultimately, our ambition is simple: to make the Irish Poker Open the biggest tournament in the world by its 50th anniversary.
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