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Poker just doesn't ever really stop, but the past few years have been especially crazy. As we reminisce about last year and make plans to do it all again in 2026, people are already buzzing with excitement. Grinder types, casual players and fans are all booking their travel, selling their action to other players, and eyeing online satellites for a chance to compete on the biggest stages in poker next year. From Las Vegas to the streets of Europe and the luxury resorts of the Caribbean, the 2026 lineup has got some real show-stoppers - the kind of events that will make every poker fan sit up and take notice.
Sure, you can easily play online poker from the comfort of your own home. But live poker has a whole different feel to it. You get it when you're shoving chips onto the table, when the whole room falls silent waiting for the river card, and when one decision can totally change the direction of your tournament. These are the tournaments where legends are made, bankrolls get made or broken, and stories get told that people will be talking about for years to come. Here's a look at the 2026 contenders for the 'can't miss' title and why they're worth following.
World Series of Poker Main Event
Of course this list isn't complete without the WSOP Main Event right at the top. It's poker's Super Bowl - the ultimate event that people all over the world tune in to watch. Every July, the whole of the poker world descends on Las Vegas and the rest of the world just fades into the background. The $10,000 buy-in and the fact that it's a freezeout (where players don't get any extra chips) at this scale makes it a real special event, with fans getting excited just thinking about what might happen next.
The 2026 event will take place on the same grounds where it has for years - the Paris and Horseshoe casinos in Las Vegas. You don't mess with something that works, right? What makes the Main Event so special isn't just the money or the chance at winning a WSOP bracelet. It's the way the whole poker world stops to watch. You know, after what happened with Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi last year, the expectations are super high - but as we all know, the Main Event always manages to throw up something entirely new and exciting.
WPT World Championship
The WPT World Championship takes place in December at the Wynn in Las Vegas. It's one of the last big tournaments of the year so you can bet that top players and industry insiders will be out in force. Plus, the timing is just right - it's the last big festival before the holidays, which means players are going all in one last time before they take some time off.
Attendance records might not break in 2026 but you can be sure that the event will be the same quality that everyone's come to expect - big, polished, with loads of top talent and massive prizes on offer.
EPT Barcelona
If you want to experience the best of European poker, then look no further than EPT Barcelona. Every year, in the middle of August, the city's beaches, bars and restaurants are taken over by poker players from all over the world. And let's not forget the Main Event - with a buy-in that might be a bit steep for some players, but the online satellites on PokerStars make it a lot more accessible.
The mix of online grinders, pros and amateur players all chasing their dreams creates the kind of electric atmosphere that's just not possible in other tournaments. Barcelona doesn't just host poker, it absorbs it. You'll be hearing about the wild stories and crazy hands for months to come.
Super High Roller Bowl
The Super High Roller Bowl first kicked off in 2015. Before you knew it, the Super High Roller Bowl had become one of the poker calendar's biggest draws and fan-favourites thanks to its massive buy-in and A-list player turnout.
Las Vegas, Nevada was home to the SHRB's first venue and where the tournament has been held the most often. But it's also travelled to a slew of other locations in the years since - including China, London, the Bahamas, Australia, Russia and Cyprus.
The SHRB's buy-in has run the gamut over the years - from $102,000 right up to $500,000. It's no surprise, then, that the Super High Roller Bowl is considered the ultimate high-stakes tournament. The event has seen players like Wiktor Malinowski, Michael Addamo, Jake Schindler and Daniel Negreanu have all walked away with the top prize.
Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju
Triton poker took over the high roller space and showed everyone how it's done. Jeju in South Korea is now one of the most popular stops on the tour - where the best players in the world come to compete. The stakes are so high, one mistake and you're out. Every decision is under scrutiny. It's the ultimate test of skill and focus.
Heading to Jeju is a real draw for Asian players, and you can be sure that the Europeans and Americans will be flying in from all over to be a part of it. If you can't make it to the tables, then the livestreams are at least worth watching.
Irish Open
You don't need to be a tour card holder to know that the Irish Open is one of the best festivals out there. It's been a real staple of the poker scene for years. The event takes place in Dublin from March 26 to April 6 and brings together some of the best poker players from all over the world with a healthy dose of craic (that's Irish for 'good times'). This is a festival that's all about having a good time - the mix of solid poker and wild parties will ensure that you have a trip to remember for years to come. Backed once again by PokerStars and PaddyPower - a duo of major sponsors, - the Irish Open always draws an amazing mix of poker pros, pub circuit legends and online qualifiers who all come to Dublin in the hopes of making a name for themselves. The games at the tables are freewheeling - the crowd in the rail is ultra-enthusiastic - and the tales that come out of Dublin can haunt players for years to come. That's what makes the Irish Open so uniquely - poker with heaps of personality.
WSOP Colossus
You don't have to have a six-figure buy-in to have an iconic event - the WSOP Colossus is proof that every year, with a gloriously affordable $400 entry fee - this tournament lays out one of the biggest fields you'll see in live poker & gives a regular Joe a real chance to win a life-changing sum of money.
The Colossus can be seen as a Main Event for the everyman . The skill level is all over the map, the energy is constantly buzzing & the dream is as real as it gets. Turning a few hundred bucks into a seven figure sum while having your name on the line under the WSOP banner is what pulls players back in year after year. And if you value bang for your buck & opportunities to make it big - this is it.
WSOP Poker Players Championship
The Poker Players Championship is a tournament where reputations are forged and tested - a $50,000 price tag means the field is top-notch , and the fact that it combines eight different poker variants makes sure no one can coast on a single skill - this is old-school poker at its best - stripped bare to versatility, stamina and mental toughness.
Having defending champion Michael Mizrachi back in the mix adds a layer of extra intrigue. This is an event that commands serious respect from pros and winning the PPC puts a player in a different league entirely. It's low-key & highly respected.
EPT Prague
As the last hurrah of the year, EPT Prague is the perfect mix of poker and winter magic - set in December, the city is at its most magical - the grind feels a little more fun amidst the festive backdrop. The casino's buzzing non-stop all day, and the streets outside have Christmas markets, history & a night life to die for.
Prague gets to host the final EPT of the year for a reason - it's a mix of self-reflection, celebration and a healthy dose of competition - players come to finish the season off strong, raise a glass to themselves for making it through & maybe even snatching one last trophy before the year's out.
With poker in 2026 looking like it's going to be bigger and bolder than ever, whether you're chasing the top prize, a trophy or just the thrill of being part of the game with the best in the world - these tournaments define the year itself. Each one offers up something unique - but they all have one thing in common: the chance to be part of poker history.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
