The Fusion of European Tradition and Exotic Morocco
The Irish Open Festival, celebrating its 47th anniversary this April in Dublin, Ireland, is venturing onto international shores for its next chapter, setting its sights on Casino de Marrakech. This prestigious venue hosts its 69th international poker festival.
The schedule features 36 separate tournaments and qualifiers. Buy-ins for these events start at €140 (1,500 MAD) and rise up to €3,000 (32,500 MAD) for the highest stakes enthusiasts.
All financial transactions at the casino are conducted in the local Moroccan currency, the dirham (MAD), which is closely pegged to the euro, ensuring minimal exchange rate fluctuations for European players.
Festival Highlights: From the Main Event to the Super High Roller
The Irish Open Marrakech 2026 schedule is designed to appeal to poker enthusiasts of all levels. At the heart of the festival is the €1,155 Main Event, boasting a guaranteed prize pool of €500,000. It kicks off on Wednesday, November 11th, with four starting flights.
Players advancing will meet in Day 2 on Saturday, November 14th, with the champion crowned in the final day showdown on Sunday, November 15th. Ten direct qualifiers for the Main Event will take place at the casino.
The festival opens with the €350 The Hendon Mob Championship (THMC), starting November 10th. This popular format marks a historic debut in North Africa.
For those chasing high stakes, two massive two-day tournaments await—€2,200 High Roller starting November 10th and €3,000 Super High Roller beginning November 14th.
The traditional two-day €350 Mini Irish Open begins Saturday, November 14th. The schedule also includes the €350 Africa's Cup and €550 Marrakech Cup, offering local flair. PLO enthusiasts can look forward to a highlight event with a €1,155 buy-in.
Irish Open Marrakech 2026 Schedule:
Tuesday, November 10th
|
No. |
Event |
Buy-in (MAD) |
Buy-in (~€) |
|
1 |
The Hendon Mob Championship |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
2 |
€2,200 NLH High Roller Day 1 |
21,150 + 2,850 |
€2,220 |
|
3 |
NLH DeepStack Supersonic |
2,505 + 295 |
€259 |
|
4 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
1,226 + 274 |
€139 |
|
5 |
NLH Turbo |
1,326 + 274 |
€148 |
Wednesday, November 11th
|
No. |
Event |
Buy-in (MAD) |
Buy-in (~€) |
|
6 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
1,226 + 274 |
€139 |
|
7 |
Irish Open Main Event Day 1A |
10,525 + 1,975 |
€1,156 |
|
2 |
€2,200 NLH High Roller Final Day |
— |
— |
|
8 |
Africa's Cup |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
9 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
2,505 + 295 |
€259 |
|
10 |
PLO 4/5/6 |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
11 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
1,226 + 274 |
€139 |
|
12 |
NLH Turbo PKO 8-Max |
1,326 + 274 |
€148 |
Thursday, November 12th
|
No. |
Event |
Buy-in (MAD) |
Buy-in (~€) |
|
13 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
1,226 + 274 |
€139 |
|
7 |
Irish Open Main Event Day 1B |
10,525 + 1,975 |
€1,156 |
|
14 |
Ladies Championship |
2,250 + 450 |
€250 |
|
15 |
NLH Mystery Bounty |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
16 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
2,505 + 295 |
€259 |
|
17 |
NLH Classic FreezeOut |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
18 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
1,226 + 274 |
€139 |
|
19 |
NLH Turbo |
1,326 + 274 |
€148 |
Friday, November 13th
|
No. |
Event |
Buy-in (MAD) |
Buy-in (~€) |
|
20 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
2,505 + 295 |
€259 |
|
7 |
Irish Open Main Event Day 1C |
10,525 + 1,975 |
€1,156 |
|
21 |
Irish Open Main Event Turbo Satellite |
1,326 + 274 |
€148 |
|
22 |
NLH Progressive Knock Out |
2,250 + 450 |
€250 |
|
23 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite |
2,505 + 295 |
€259 |
|
24 |
Irish Open Main Event Satellite Hyper Turbo |
2,505 + 295 |
€259 |
|
7 |
Irish Open Main Event Day 1D Turbo |
10,525 + 1,975 |
€1,156 |
|
25 |
NLH Turbo PKO 8-Max |
1,326 + 274 |
€148 |
Saturday, November 14th
|
No. |
Event |
Buy-in (MAD) |
Buy-in (~€) |
|
26 |
Mini Irish Open Day 1 |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
7 |
Irish Open Main Event Day 2 |
— |
— |
|
27 |
NLH Super High Roller Satellite |
6,450 + 550 |
€648 |
|
28 |
€3,000 NLH Super High Roller Day 1 |
28,905 + 3,595 |
€3,006 |
|
29 |
NLH Classic FreezeOut |
2,250 + 450 |
€250 |
|
30 |
PLO Day 1 |
11,060 + 1,440 |
€1,156 |
|
31 |
NLH Turbo PKO 8-Max |
1,326 + 274 |
€148 |
Sunday, November 15
|
No. |
Event |
Buy-in (MAD) |
Buy-in (~€) |
|
26 |
Mini Irish Open Final Day |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
32 |
The Marrakech Cup |
5,285 + 715 |
€555 |
|
7 |
Irish Open Main Event Final Day |
— |
— |
|
28 |
€3,000 NLH Super High Roller Final Day |
— |
— |
|
30 |
PLO Final Day |
— |
— |
|
33 |
NLH 6-Max Turbo |
11,060 + 1,440 |
€1,156 |
|
34 |
Seniors 50+ Championship |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
35 |
PLO 6-Max Turbo |
3,260 + 540 |
€352 |
|
36 |
The Irish Goodbye |
1,326 + 274 |
€148 |
Why You Should Head to Morocco
Apart from the packed poker schedule, the Irish Open Marrakech offers a unique experience for every visitor. The hallmark of Irish poker is its indescribably relaxed atmosphere and the fun "Craic Den," which organizers bring in full to Morocco.
November in Marrakesh also promises warm sunny days and pleasantly cool evenings, making it the perfect escape from the dreary European autumn.
The casino is located within the Es Saadi resort, just minutes away from the famous Jemaa El-Fnaa square, traditional markets, and the historic medina. It’s the ideal spot to delve into the local culture.
Sources: Irish Poker Open, YouTube
