Poker Tournament Calendar | Complete Schedule in 2026

The Big Three Poker Tournaments to Watch in 2026

Some poker tournaments are just too good to miss. They've got huge prizes, famous players, and that electric vibe. Here are three of the biggest ones you'll want to know about this year.

World Series of Poker (WSOP)

 

The WSOP is the granddaddy of poker tours and is known for its massive events and life-changing prizes. It is usually held in Las Vegas, but this year features a rare Spring Edition of WSOPE in Prague from March 31 to April 12, and it's a must-watch for European fans.

 

WSOP 2026 Schedule

World Poker Tour (WPT)

 

The WPT is all about high-stakes glamour and global stops, with events that attract top pros and massive prize pools. This year features the tour's first-ever Main Tour stop in Cambodia from February 4 to 9 at NagaWorld. The WPT Main Tour is the premium series with higher buy-ins and bigger guarantees, while WPT Prime is more accessible, with lower buy-ins and a regional focus.

 

WPT 2026 Schedule

European Poker Tour (EPT)

 

The EPT is Europe's premier poker tour, which blends luxury locations with elite competition. It returns to Le Palais des Congrès in Paris from February 18 to March 1. This event is a must-see with huge fields and massive prizes.

 

EPT 2026 Schedule

Poker Tournaments UK (Domestic Calendar)

The UK poker scene is thriving in 2026, with events that bring the excitement of big tournaments right to your doorstep. From cosy casino stops to massive festivals, British players have plenty of home advantage, one being that they don't need to fly across the world to join in on the action.

GUKPT 2026: The Backbone of UK Poker

The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour enters its 20th season as the go-to series for British poker fans. This year, Edinburgh is out, and Glasgow at Merchant City is the new Scottish stop in August. The main highlight is the £500,000 guarantee at The Vic in November.

 

GUKPT 2026 Schedule

UK Poker Championships (UKPC)

The UKPC is one of the UK's premier events, held at Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham. This year's edition runs from January 17 to January 26, with a £560 buy-in and a £500,000 guarantee. The final table is always packed with drama, and satellites start from just £1 online.

The Goliath 2026

The Goliath is Europe's largest poker tournament, known for its massive fields and affordable entry. It takes place at Grosvenor Casino in Coventry from July 23 to August 2, with a £200 buy-in and a £2,000,000 guarantee. Last year drew 12,961 entries, so you can expect even more in 2026.

London Poker Scene (Festivals & Series)

London's poker scene features the British Poker Series at Genting Stratford from February 2 to February 8. Buy-ins range from £100 to £1,000, with a £100,000 guarantee across the series. The Vic also hosts regular series, such as the Victoria High Stakes Festival in August, running from August 2 to August 9 with a £3,000+£300 buy-in and a TBC GTD.

How to Qualify for Major 2026 Tournaments

Poker tournaments can feel like a wild ride, but understanding how to play poker makes them simple once you get the hang of the basics. You pay a buy-in to get chips, then play until you’re out of chips, or win it all. Unlike cash games, where you can walk away anytime, tournaments keep going until there's a winner, and the last player with chips takes the top prize, but others near the top get cash too, depending on the prize pool. Knowing the different types helps you pick the right game, while learning about poker ranges will help you make better decisions when pressure is on.

Types of Poker Tournaments

There's a poker tournament for every kind of player.

• Sit and Go games start when enough people, usually 6 to 10, sign up.
• Multi-table tournaments, like the WSOP Main Event, have hundreds or thousands of players across tables.
• In freezeout tournaments, you're eliminated if you lose all your chips.
• Rebuy tournaments let you buy more chips for a bit, giving you a second chance.
• Satellite tournaments give you a seat in a bigger event instead of cash, which is awesome for new players on a budget.
• Online poker tournaments, like PokerStars, let you play from your couch. Live poker tournaments, like the EPT, have a fun, in-person energy.

Most use Texas Hold’em, but some mix in Omaha or Seven Card Stud for variety.

Where to Watch Poker Tournaments

You don't have to play to love poker tournaments. Watching pros go head-to-head is a thrill on its own. Big events stream live on YouTube, Twitch, or PokerGO. The WSOP Main Event is on PokerGO, which needs a subscription, but you can catch free highlights on YouTube. EPT events stream free on PokerStars' YouTube and Twitch channels. For UK poker tournaments, check PokerStars Live or the event's website for streams. Some places, like The Hippodrome, post updates on X or their sites.

Pros to Watch

Poker tournaments are more fun when you know the stars. Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker on X) is always a must-watch. The Canadian legend captured his seventh WSOP bracelet in 2024 and continues to crush high-stakes mixed games.

Xuan Liu, a WPT Global Ambassador, made history last year (May 2025) as the first woman to ever win a Triton Poker title, taking down the $25k event in Montenegro. She is undoubtedly one of the hottest players on the circuit right now.

Also keep an eye on Calvin Anderson. After winning his fifth bracelet in 2024 and scoring a massive runner-up finish at the 2025 WSOP, he has been dominating the mixed-game scene and sharing valuable health and mindset tips for grinders.