The World Poker Tour is heading back to Australia in September 2026. The Star Sydney will host what looks to be one of the country’s biggest poker festivals, running from September 10 to 30, drawing players and poker enthusiasts from around the globe for three weeks of serious competitive poker.

Championship Schedule Takes Centre Stage

Two headline tournaments anchor the festival. The AUD 1,500 WPT Prime Australia Championship kicks off on September 17, running through to September 22, followed by the premium AUD 5,000 WPT Australia Championship from September 24 to 30. Both finals will be livestreamed globally, giving international audiences a front-row seat to Sydney’s poker action.

It’s smart structure, frankly. The Prime event gives mid-stakes players a genuine championship experience, whilst the main championship attracts the bigger names and deeper pockets. For viewers, that means quality coverage of both events.

Full Tournament Slate and Entry Routes

Beyond the two championships, the schedule delivers real variety. There’s an AUD 500 Ladies Australian Championship on September 15 and 16, multiple Pot Limit Omaha tournaments, bounty events, and satellite qualifiers running throughout the three weeks. The qualifiers matter here, giving players a lower-cost route into the marquee events.

That’s proper festival structure. You’re not just catering to established tournament regulars; you’re building pathways for newer players to step up and test themselves against stronger competition.

Positioning Within Global Season

The Sydney festival slots into the second half of WPT Season 24, which includes stops in Cyprus, Jacksonville, Austin, San Jose, Las Vegas, and other locations still to be announced. Australia remains a crucial market for the tour operator. The player pool here is strong, the venue relationship with The Star is solid, and international travel to Sydney draws quality competitors from Asia-Pacific and beyond.

Adam Pliska, WPT chief executive, put it well: Australia continues to be one of the world’s most passionate poker regions. That’s no exaggeration. The local scene here has genuine depth, and you’ve got everything poolside, luxury accommodation, and entertainment all in one venue, which makes it attractive for international visitors staying the full festival.

What It Means for the Poker Calendar

This return confirms the WPT’s long-term commitment to Australia. Established poker tours don’t plant themselves in a destination unless the numbers stack up. The fact that Sydney is getting a full three-week festival with dual championships suggests strong player registration forecasts and solid sponsorship backing.

For local and international poker players, September 2026 is now marked on the calendar. For The Star, it’s a significant events draw. For the broader Australian gaming calendar, it’s confirmation that our poker scene remains genuinely competitive at world level.