Upcoming 2026 Tournaments: Key Schedules and Strategies

If you follow live poker closely, 2026 already looks like a calendar full of opportunities. Between shifting festival dates and growing field sizes, it gets easy to miss events with real value. 

This post previews the biggest upcoming series, outlines notable buy‑in and guarantee trends, and shares a working plan to track and pick under‑the‑radar tournaments using The Hendon Mob.

What’s on the 2026 radar

Here are the festivals that deserve early attention.

EPT Paris (Feb 18–March 1, 2026)

Paris returns to the calendar in 2026 after regulatory delays. As a major European city venue, this festival combines strong fields, a reasonable structure, and broad accessibility for players across the region.

EPT Paris offers early‑season value before the big summer and spring festivals, which can help refine strategies, tune bankroll plans, and spot early action before the more crowded high‑roller venues hit.

Irish Poker Open (March 26–April 6, 2026)

This is historically one of Europe’s oldest and most respected poker festivals, running annually since 1980.

It tends to draw large mixed fields, including seasoned pros, regional grinders, and recreational players, making it fertile ground for skilled players to find value in mid‑buy‑in events, primarily when high‑stakes fields draw most of the big names.

WSOP Europe (Prague, March 31–April 12, 2026)

Because this is the European edition of the most iconic poker brand, it carries prestige — 15 gold bracelet events, a diverse schedule, and a massive draw for serious players. In 2026, the festival moves to Prague (a partnership with Hilton Prague and King’s Casino).

For a grinder, this means top‑tier competition and big fields at bracelet events, which draw attention, but side events are often less crowded and can offer value.

EPT Monte‑Carlo (April 30–May 10, 2026)

As one of the most prestigious stops on the European circuit, Monte‑Carlo draws top pros and recreational players alike. The 2025 edition awarded some $48.6 million across the festival’s events; major prize pools make it a hotspot for high competition and significant win potential.

For players, this tournament offers rich data on field sizes, re‑entry rates, and payout structures.

Taken together, these give us a packed season ahead, and you might want to use The Hendon Mob to keep up with the events. 

How to use Hendon Mob like a tool

Here’s a practical routine for using Hendon Mob to “scan, filter, strike”:

1. Check the festival pages: Open each festival’s page (e.g., EPT Monte Carlo, WSOP Europe) to see the full schedule, buy‑ins, and event names.
2. Apply filters: Narrow events by buy‑in range (for example, €500–€2,000 for mid‑stakes), by guarantee size (GTD), or by date range.
3. Save a watchlist or set alerts: Track events you’re interested in so you don’t miss registration deadlines or first‑day flights.
4. Cross‑check field sizes and entry numbers: Big GTD doesn’t always mean big field. Smaller turnouts can produce overlays or better value for sharp players.

Sample under‑the‑radar watchlist for opportunistic players

Based on currently listed and upcoming 2026 festivals, these can be solid picks if you play strategically:

• Mid‑buy‑in side events during EPT Monte Carlo (openers or €1,100–€1,500 buy‑in) — often less crowded and good entry fee/field strength ratio.
• Early bracelet events in WSOP Europe (non‑Main Event) — smaller fields, lower buy‑ins compared to the Main Event.
• Mid‑stakes regional opens or smaller European festivals in spring / early summer — lower travel cost, lighter fields, and lower competition from top pros.
• Mixed‑game or non‑Hold’em tournaments, when available — less popular variants tend to attract fewer recreational players, which can improve expected value.

And regardless of what event you choose, always remember to play responsibly and follow the rules. 

A few ground rules for bankroll and entry discipline

Tracking is only half the battle. When applying this approach, consider:

• Enter mid‑buy‑ins or satellites.
• Stick to a bankroll plan: avoid over‑committing to high‑variance festivals.
• Don’t chase overlay illusions blindly — verify field size, historical turnout, and actual payout patterns before committing.
• Routinely study and practice before putting real money on the line. You can practice on free tables and cheap tournaments on platforms on games like Litecoin poker, which allow real‑time tracking and decision-making without risking a significant bankroll.

Final word

2026 promises a hefty lineup of major festivals, regional opens, and mixed‑stakes events. For players who use data, a disciplined player’s routine can uncover real value. By staying on top of schedules, buy‑ins, and field composition, you can track major tournaments to make sure you don’t miss them.