Live poker’s 2026 calendar promises to up the ante on what was an explosive 2025. Momentum’s sky-high: fields swelling, guarantees ballooning, structures deepening. I’ve had my head in the schedules, and these five events are the ones I think are going to deliver the best action for players and viewers.
WSOP Circuit Marrakech (Jan 16-25)
This North African gem launches in January, 2026 with 70+ events. I’m forecasting 5,500+ runners, inflating the 15,000 MAD (€1,700) Main Event to a €1.2M+ prize pool.
Last year’s edition at Es Saadi Resort set the bar sky-high: the multi-flight Opener obliterated fields with 5,200 entries, and €1,500 Main Event ballooned to €850K prize pool from 2,800 runners.
One of the most talked-about additions is the age-based concept tournaments. The WSOPC Veterans (50+) and WSOP Young Blood (under 50) both kick off mid-festival, with the respective champions meeting in a unique “Generational Clash” showdown to decide bragging rights across eras.
With exotic surroundings, competitive fields, and WSOP hardware on the line, Marrakech remains one of the most distinctive Circuit stops worldwide.
EPT Paris (Feb 18–Mar 1)
Paris was ghosted in 2025 over French licensing drama, leaving grinders hungry—now it roars back as EPT Season 16 opener at Le Palais des Congrès, powered by Club Barrière. The €5,300 Main Event, with 30K chips and 40-minute levels, drew 3,000+ in 2024; expect 4,200+ amid two weeks of non-stop: Mystery Bounties flipping €10K pots, PLO hypers, €100K+ Super High Rollers.
Local hero Alexandre Reard, fresh off 2025 WSOP $50K High Roller deep stacks, rallies French rails.
WSOP Europe Prague (Mar 31–Apr 12)
Few festivals carry the same prestige as the World Series of Poker Europe. The 2026 edition once again promises a bracelet-heavy schedule, culminating in the €10,350 WSOP Europe Main Event.
Beyond the Main Event, WSOP Europe typically features high rollers, mixed games, and smaller buy-in events that allow players of all levels to chase WSOP glory without traveling to Las Vegas. For purists, Prague remains a must-play destination.
EPT Monte-Carlo (Apr 30–May 10)
Monte-Carlo’s Sporting Monte-Carlo has long been poker’s luxury battlefield, where 2025 Main Event drew 1,128 entries for a €5.2M prize pool, crowning Dutch pro Daan Mulders (€851K) after a four-way ICM chop that saw recs spew early and grinders ladder deep.
Triton Poker Series (Mar+ Ongoing)
No list of must-watch poker events would be complete without Triton. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the Triton Poker Series continues to define the ultra-high-stakes scene.
Featuring buy-ins that routinely stretch from $25,000 to well into six figures, Triton attracts the best players in the world alongside wealthy recreational competitors. The result is some of the toughest—and most entertaining—poker ever streamed.
With stops expected across glamorous international locations, Triton’s focus on premium production, innovative formats, and nosebleed stakes makes it essential viewing for fans and a bucket-list goal for high rollers.
