The World Poker Tour is heading back to Australia for one of the most anticipated poker events on the Southern Hemisphere calendar. WPT Australia 2026 will run at The Star Sydney from September 10 to 30, reuniting players from across Australia and around the globe for a 20-day festival packed with championship events, satellite qualifiers and a range of poker formats.
The event sits within the broader landscape of global poker tourism — an industry increasingly shaped by the largest gambling companies in the world, many of which have invested heavily in live tournament circuits, streaming infrastructure and premium venue partnerships as they compete for the attention of high-value recreational and professional players alike.
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Two headline championship events
Two major tournaments anchor the WPT Australia 2026 schedule. The AUD 1,500 WPT Prime Australia Championship runs from September 17 to 22, offering a more accessible entry point for players looking to compete at WPT level without the higher buy-in. The AUD 5,000 WPT Australia Championship follows from September 24 to 30, targeting the serious recreational and professional player market with a premium prize pool.
Both final tables will be livestreamed, giving poker fans worldwide the chance to follow the action from Sydney in real time — a feature that has become standard expectation for major WPT events and a key tool in building global audience engagement around live tournaments.
A full supporting schedule
Beyond the two flagship events, the festival features a comprehensive supporting programme. An AUD 500 Ladies Australian Championship is scheduled for September 15 and 16, alongside Pot Limit Omaha events, bounty tournaments and several additional poker formats. Satellite qualifiers throughout the series give players at all bankroll levels the opportunity to win their way into the marquee championships at a fraction of the buy-in cost.
The Star Sydney as a destination
The Star Sydney is expected to serve once again as a major draw for both poker players and international visitors. The venue offers luxury accommodations, dining, entertainment and nightlife — positioning WPT Australia as much a destination experience as a poker tournament, and one that attracts a global audience well beyond the dedicated poker community.
WPT CEO Adam Pliska expressed his enthusiasm for the return. “We are thrilled to return to The Star Sydney for another WPT Australia festival,” he said. “Australia continues to be one of the world’s most passionate poker regions, and we look forward to welcoming players from around the globe as we crown the next WPT Champion.”
Part of a packed Season 24 schedule
WPT Australia 2026 forms part of the second half of the World Poker Tour’s Season 24 schedule, which includes upcoming stops in Cyprus, Jacksonville, Austin, San Jose and Las Vegas, alongside additional destinations yet to be announced. For players planning their poker travel calendar for the remainder of the year, Sydney in September represents one of the most compelling stops on the global circuit.
