Irish Poker Open 2027: Details for Europe's Longest-Running Festival Confirmed

The poker world is already looking ahead to 2027 as the schedule for Europe's oldest tournament series has been unveiled. Even though 2026 still has months to go, the Irish Poker Open organizers have released the full plan for their 48th year. From March 18 to 29, 2027, the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) will once again host thousands of players. Known as the longest-running No-Limit Texas Hold’em event outside of Las Vegas, the festival has built a legendary reputation over nearly five decades.

The 2027 timing is particularly special as it aligns perfectly with St. Patrick's Day. The world-famous parade on March 17 acts as a massive opening ceremony for the poker action starting the next day. Co-owner Paul O'Reilly emphasized that while the world gets one day of celebration, Irish Open players will enjoy 13 days of festivities. Last year, the event processed over 32,000 entries and awarded more than 15.5 million euros in total prizes, setting a high bar for the upcoming edition.

Numbers and facts

The centerpiece remains the 1,150 euro Buy-in Main Event, boasting a 2,500,000 euro guarantee. Historical data suggests this figure will be surpassed; last year’s pool reached 4,852,910 euros. Romania’s Narcis Nedelcu took home 336,798 euros following a five-way deal. Two other tournaments also offer seven-figure guarantees. The Luxon Mystery Bounty starts on March 18 with a 1,000,000 euro guarantee, while the 250 euro Mini Irish Open offers 14 starting flights and its own 1,000,000 euro pool. The reigning Mini Irish Open champion is Sami Agel, who won 150,855 euros after defeating a field of 7,349 entries.

Background

The Irish Poker Open is an award-winning festival, recently winning Best Stand-Alone Festival at the Global Poker Awards. Partnerships with PokerStars, Paddy Power, and the iPoker network allow over 1,600 players to qualify via online satellites. For 2027, online qualifiers are expected to start at just one euro, making the dream of playing in Dublin accessible to a wide audience. The schedule features 48 numbered events, including unique championships for deaf players and senior high rollers.

„With St. Patrick's Day taking place the day before the 2027 Irish Open, next year's event really is unmissable. The world gets one Paddy's Day, but the Irish Open players are going to get 13!“ - Paul O’Reilly, Irish Open co-owner

Why it matters for German players

For German residents, participating in international live events requires understanding domestic regulations. The GlüStV 2021 governs online poker and gambling in Germany. Players should only use platforms listed on the GGL whitelist to ensure their activities remain legal. These platforms enforce a 1,000 euro monthly deposit limit via the LUGAS system and a one euro stake limit on virtual slots. While live play in Dublin follows Irish law, German players must report large winnings according to German tax laws if their play is considered professional. Qualifying through unlicensed MGA or Curacao sites is discouraged due to the lack of legal protection provided by German authorities.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Licensed German operators benefit from the prestige of such festivals by offering safe qualification routes. The Irish Poker Open demonstrates the success of hybrid models where online play leads to live experiences. GGL-licensed sites provide the necessary consumer protections that offshore sites lack. As the 2027 event approaches, these operators can leverage the excitement to promote regulated gaming within the boundaries of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling, ensuring that the path to Dublin remains safe for all German enthusiasts.