Irish Poker Open 2027: Online satellites running now across PokerStars network

October 26, 2026

Poker

by Jack Stanton

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5 Minute Read

Come for the poker, stay for the craic.

You can now qualify for the next edition of the Irish Poker Open (March 18-29, 2027), the largest and richest poker event in Ireland, across the PokerStars Network. Players can expect world-class poker action and the unmistakable Irish ‘craic’ that has made the festival one of the most beloved stops on the global poker calendar.

Kicking off the day after the world-famous St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin, 2027 marks the 48th year of the Irish Open. Players from around the world will once again descend on the Royal Dublin Society for 12 days of action-packed live poker.

The festival, sponsored by PokerStars and Paddy Power, will be headlined by the €2,500,000 guaranteed Main Event, as well as other Marquee events including the €1,000,000 guaranteed Mini Irish Open and the €1,000,000 guaranteed Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty.

The full schedule can be found here.

“The poker, of course, is a huge part of what makes the Irish Open special, but it’s the atmosphere, the characters and the craic that really set it apart,” said Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars.

“Players come from all over the world to experience this unique event and when you get here, you can see why players keep coming back year after year. We’re pleased to support this brilliant festival once again with a wide-ranging satellite schedule and we can’t wait to get back on the green felt.”

Irish Open co-owner Paul O’Reilly said: “With St Patrick’s Day taking place the day before the 2027 Irish Open, next year’s event really is unmissable! People come from all over the world to watch the St Paddy’s Day parade – it’s the perfect opening ceremony for the Irish Poker Open! The world gets one Paddy’s Day but Irish Open players are going to get 13!”

HISTORY OF THE IRISH POKER OPEN

The Irish Poker Open has been a must-visit stop on any poker player’s travel list for decades. 

It’s not just the incredible Dublin location or the festive community spirit that makes it essential on the international poker calendar, however. This is an event steeped in history.

The festival is the longest-running no limit hold’em tournament outside of Las Vegas, with a history dating back 48 years. It firmly established itself on the world stage in 1984, when 25 American players–including the legends Stu Ungar, Chip Reese and Doyle Brunson–made the journey to Dublin. That tournament was televised, the interest was huge, and the Irish Poker Open hasn’t slowed down since.

In 2026, Romania’s Narcis Nedelcu (shown in this article’s featured image) topped a record-breaking field of 5,003 to win €336,790 following a five-way deal. Nedelcu qualified for the event online on PokerStars, so perhaps you could follow in his footsteps in 2027?

CHECK OUT IRISH OPEN 2026 COVERAGE HERE

There’s only one Simon Wilson

Back in 2025, the champ was local lad Simon Wilson, who defeated 4,562 entries and won a staggering €600,000 in the €1,150 Main Event. All week, we’d been hearing how Wilson was poised to be the next great Irish poker talent, and boy, did he prove everyone right, as well as producing one of the all-time great final table rails.

CHECK OUT IRISH OPEN 2025 COVERAGE HERE

Steve O’Dwyer (who has lived in Dublin for the past 12 years) and PokerStars commentator Griffin Benger have also taken down the Main Event over the years. O’Dwyer beat a field of 2,040 entries in his home city to win the first-place prize of €318,700 in 2022.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2026 – Narcis Nedelcu – €336,790
2025 – Simon Wilson – €600,000
2024 – Tero Laurila – €292,685
2023 – David Docherty – €365,000
2022 – Steve O’ Dwyer – €318,700
2020 – Pablo Silva – €462,100
2019 – Weijie Zheng – €300,000
2018 – Ryan Mandara – €250,000
2017 – Griffin Benger – €200,000
2016 – Dan Wilson – €150,000
2015 – Ioannis Triantafyllakis – €200,000
2014 – Patrick Clarke – €200,000
2013 – Ian Simpson – €265,000
2012 – Kevin Vandersmissen – €420,000
2011 – Niall Smyth – €550,000
2010 – James Mitchell – €600,000
2009 – Christer Johansson – €600,000
2008 – Neil Channing – €801,000

IRISH OPEN DOCUMENTARY

You’ve seen where the magic happens, now see HOW it happens! The Irish Poker Open released its first-ever documentary earlier this year, with a fly-on-the-wall look at the enormous preparation that goes into creating the festival.

Very few of the 4,300 players who attend the Irish Open will have any idea just how huge an operation it is to turn the historic Royal Dublin Society into a premium poker festival venue. Scores of people are involved – from riggers, techies, sparkies and set builders, to tournament directors, cashiers and dealers.

Footage captured during the build-up to the 2025 festival shows the immensity of the task. The logistics involved are mind-boggling. Over the course of just three days, hundreds of pallets, laden with equipment, are wheeled into the RDS: thousands of chairs, 280 tables and dozens of banners. 320 square metres of LED displays – the largest LED show ever installed at an Irish event – including a 20m long LED wall. Miles of internet and electricity cables. Millions of chips sorted and a completely secure cashier area constructed from scratch.

And, finally, The Craic Den is created – the beating heart of the Irish Open festival where players can relax, share bad beat stories and enjoy hours of live entertainment, games and competitions.

Read more about the documentary here.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PREVIOUS IRISH POKER OPENS

SPRAGGY INTRODUCED HIM TO POKER. NOW HE'S BROUGHT HIM HOME TO DUBLIN.
When Bernard “Benny” Norris broke his foot and wrist in a moped accident four years ago, he had no idea the crash (and a guy called Spraggy) would steer him onto a new path. 

HASHTAG UNITED FOUNDER SPENCER FC’S ALL IN FOR A NEW GROUND
Spencer Carmichael-Brown usually spends his Saturdays on the sidelines, commentating on the action and cheering for goals. But this Saturday was different. The founder of the football club Hashtag United was hoping to impact his team in a unique way: By playing a poker tournament with a top prize of €600,000.

HALLAERT CELEBRATES AMBASSADOR ANNIVERSARY WITH HIGH ROLLER WIN

SKINNER SLAYS LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP

INSANE WIN IN IRISH OPEN LOTTO