POKER NEWS

Irish Poker Tour Unveils 2026 Schedule: A Year of Craic, Community, and Bigger Guarantees

By Robbie Strazynski
September 28, 2025

The Irish Poker Tour (IPT) has just dropped its first wave of dates for 2026, and if the lineup is any indication, players across Ireland and beyond are in for another landmark year. From Galway to Killarney, Dublin to Limerick, the stops already on the calendar showcase everything that makes the IPT one of the fastest-growing live tours in Europe: value-driven tournaments, festival atmospheres, and a community-first spirit that players can’t seem to get enough of.

Irish Poker Tour

Building on Momentum

The 2025 season has already been one to remember, with packed fields, grassroots engagement, and buzz that has extended beyond Ireland’s borders. Now, IPT founder Fintan Gavin says the tour is only getting started.

“These are just the opening stops for 2026,” Gavin explained. “We’ll be rolling out more dates throughout the year, including at least one UK stop in the second quarter and a sunshine destination in June. Players can also expect bigger guarantees at selected festivals. Some will be truly massive!”

It’s the same vision Gavin laid out when we spoke a few months ago: keep things accessible, keep the atmosphere electric, and never lose sight of what makes poker fun in the first place.

2026 Irish Poker Tour Schedule Highlights

Here’s what players can already circle on their calendars:

  • Galway Poker Festival (Jan 6–11) – The Galmont plays host to the first big festival of the year, right on Galway Bay.
  • Limerick €30K in a Day (Jan 24) – A one-day sprint at Castletroy Hotel with €30,000 guaranteed.
  • Munster Poker Festival (Jan 30–Feb 2) – €100K guaranteed in the Munster Main Event, with community vibes front and center.
  • €100K for €100 (Mar 12–15) – The Green Isle brings back one of the most popular formats on the tour: €100 buy-in, €100,000 guaranteed.
  • The Monster (Apr 29–May 4) – A Green Isle staple with a guarantee that’s only getting bigger.
  • Summer in Dublin (July) – A feel-good festival that attracts both seasoned grinders and casual fans.
  • Killarney Poker Festival (Sept) – The iconic Gleneagle hosts what many consider the crown jewel of the IPT calendar.
  • Dublin Winter Festival (Nov) – Closing the year with a bang back at the Green Isle.

More Than Just Poker

What makes the IPT special isn’t just the numbers on a guarantee sheet. It’s the unique blend of Irish hospitality, accessible buy-ins, and the trademark craic that players rave about after every stop. Whether you’re chasing a deep run in The Monster, grinding out value in Limerick, or taking in the scenery in Killarney, the IPT manages to blend serious competition with a community atmosphere.

And with Gavin teasing even more dates, including a UK stop and a “sunshine destination”, 2026 could be the tour’s biggest year yet.

What to Expect: Promo Video

To give players a taste of what’s ahead, the IPT has released a promo video showcasing the energy and excitement that have made the circuit such a hit. It’s well worth a watch to see why the Irish Poker Tour continues to grow at a nice clip.

The Irish Poker Tour has always stayed true to its roots: grassroots poker, great value, and an unbeatable atmosphere. With the first batch of 2026 stops already confirmed, it’s safe to say that the year ahead will be packed with stories, celebrations, and plenty of big moments at the tables.

For full details and qualification opportunities, visit the Irish Poker Tour website.

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Written By.

Robbie Strazynski

Robbie founded Cardplayerlifestyle.com in 2009. A longtime veteran of the poker media corps and past Global Poker Award winner, Robbie has produced a vast portfolio of written and video work, hosted multiple poker podcasts for a decade (Top Pair, Red Chip Poker Podcast, The Orbit, and CardsChat Podcast), and has covered scores of live poker […]

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