The spring poker calendar is heating up, and for 2026, players are faced with a major scheduling dilemma: the newly relocated WSOP Europe in Prague or the long-running Irish Poker Open in Dublin. With both events overlapping, poker pros and enthusiasts alike will need to pick their side in this clash of Europe’s biggest festivals.
A European Poker Clash
GGPoker’s WSOP Europe series, previously held in Rozvadov, will now take place in Prague from March 31 through April 12. The move brings a fresh setting to the festival, combining the cultural appeal of the Czech capital with the largest guaranteed prize pool in European live poker history: €10 million for the Main Event. Prague, already a favorite among the poker community thanks to past EPT stops, offers a new experience alongside high-stakes competition.
Meanwhile, the Irish Poker Open runs from March 26 to April 6 in Dublin, and while its Main Event carries a smaller €2.5 million guarantee, it promises a lively, party-like atmosphere. The 2025 event smashed its guarantee with a €4,447,950 prize pool, and the 2026 edition looks poised to surpass that milestone. Beyond the Main Event, Dublin offers a far more extensive schedule, with 86 tournaments across the series compared to WSOP Europe’s 15 bracelet events. For many, it’s the social energy and variety that makes the Irish Open a must-play.
Choosing Between Money and Experience
Players now face a difficult choice: chase the massive €10M WSOP Europe Main Event or immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin while pursuing a still-respectable €2.5M prize pool. The decision isn’t purely financial—both festivals have their unique appeal, from Prague’s historic charm and record-setting guarantees to Dublin’s festive vibe and action-packed tournament schedule.
Poker fans are no strangers to tough scheduling decisions—recent years have seen similar debates between Las Vegas and the Bahamas—but 2026 presents a new conundrum: Dublin or Prague?
2026 WSOP Europe Schedule Highlights
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March 31 – The Opener NLH Mystery Bounty (€1,000) / PLO Mixed Big O, PLO8, PLO (€3,000)
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April 2 – COLOSSUS NLH (€500)
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April 3 – PLOSSUS Bounty PLO (€500) / Main Event NLH European Championship (€5,300, €10M GTD)
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April 5 – NLH Super Turbo Bounty (€2,000)
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April 6 – MONSTER STACK NLH (€1,500) / PLO European Championship (€5,300)
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April 7 – Rounder Cup NLH (EU vs Rest of World) (€2,500)
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April 8 – NLH Freezeout (€800) / High Roller 8-Max NLH (€10,400)
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April 9 – European Circuit Championship NLH (€1,500, €1.5M GTD)
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April 10 – GGMillion$ High Roller NLH (€25,000)
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April 11 – PLO Double Board Bomb Pot (€1,000)
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April 12 – The Closer NLH Turbo Bounty (€2,000)
With such enticing options on both fronts, European poker players will have to weigh big money, festival atmosphere, and tournament variety carefully before committing. The spring showdown is set to test not only skill at the tables but also scheduling strategy off them.
