The World Poker Tour has announced its return to The Star Sydney in September, featuring a 21-day festival with 36 events and two headline championships. The schedule includes a range of buy-ins and satellite qualifiers for players
The World Poker Tour has officially scheduled its next WPT Australia festival at The Star Sydney, running from September 10 to 30, 2026. The event will feature 36 live poker tournaments over 21 days, including two major championship events that will be played to livestreamed final tables. The festival is open to players from Australia and abroad, with a mix of buy-in levels and tournament formats.
Key Dates and Championship Events
The two headline tournaments are the A$1,500 WPT Prime Australia Championship and the A$5,000 WPT Australia Championship. The WPT Prime Australia Championship is set for September 17–22, with four starting flights and a final table on September 22. The WPT Australia Championship follows from September 24–30, also featuring four starting flights and concluding with a televised final table on September 30. Both events are expected to draw significant interest from the regional and international poker community.
Full Festival Schedule and Tournament Variety
Beyond the two main championships, the festival schedule includes a wide range of tournaments such as the A$1,250 Australian Poker Cup, A$1,150 Sydney PLO Open, A$500 Ladies Australian Championship, A$1,350 Mystery Bounty, A$10,000 WPT Australia High Roller, and A$5,000 Australian PLO Championship. The schedule also features satellites, bounty events, Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments, and lower buy-in options, providing opportunities for players with different bankrolls to participate. Satellite tournaments will allow players to qualify for major events at a reduced cost.
Player Access and Qualification Options
Players interested in entering the larger buy-in events can take advantage of an extensive satellite schedule, with qualifiers available for the Australian Poker Cup, WPT Prime Australia Championship, WPT Australia Championship, Mystery Bounty, and other featured tournaments. The festival also includes a dedicated ladies event and a variety of specialty formats, aiming to attract a broad player base. All events will be held at The Star Sydney, which remains one of the largest poker venues in the region.
What Players Should Know
According to the official schedule, the festival opens with the Australian Poker Cup on September 10 and runs through the end of the month. Players should review the full event list and satellite options to plan their participation. While the WPT Australia festival is open to international players, all tournaments are subject to local gaming regulations and venue policies. Final table broadcasts are expected to be available for both championship events, but details on streaming platforms and coverage may be announced closer to the event dates.
In live poker tournaments, the buy-in is the amount each player pays to enter, which forms the prize pool along with any applicable fees. Satellite tournaments offer a lower-cost way to win entry into higher buy-in events, but do not guarantee a seat unless a player wins the satellite. Players should always check the official tournament rules, registration deadlines, and payout structures before entering, as these can vary by event and venue.
