The Festival Series Set For Biggest Year Thus Far in 2026! Here is the Lineup!
The Festival Series has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2022. Thanks to the players who attend every year, the numerous casinos that allow us to host The Festival, the floor staff, and the dealers, The Festival has seen a rapid expansion, culminating in seven live stops for 2026. From shorter weekend editions to the traditional full-length stops, The Festival will be coming to a casino near you with its usual brand of eclectic Mixed game-centric schedules and accessible buy-ins. Without further ado, here is the lineup.
The Festival Bratislava – Slovakia
February 23 – March 1, 2026
The Festival Bratislava kicks off the year at its second home, Banco Casino Bratislava, in Slovakia. This will mark our sixth collaboration with the Capital Cities cardroom, and it seems fitting to kick off our biggest year at this venue. Spring will be approaching, and the season matches the city's warm and relaxed vibe. Banco Casino Bratislava guarantees a great atmosphere, big turnouts, and an easy place for everyone to enjoy themselves. Kicking off 2026 here sets the tone for another full year, a year that will have more stops than you are used to from us! Here is a look at some of the staples from the schedule.
- €550 Main Event: Sebastian Kotowicz will be looking to become a triple Main Event winner at the first stop, having become the first dual-winner by winning the Main Event in 2024 and 2025 at Banco Bratislava.
- €550 T.O.R.S.E.S Main Event: The mixed game scene in Europe has gone from blooming to booming, evidenced by the massive 102-runner T.O.R.S.E.S Main Event last time out at The Festival Bratislava. This set a new personal best for The Festival, and the change from H.O.R.S.E.S to T.O.R.S.E.S has proven to be a popular choice.
- €250 The Hendon Mob Championship: The world-famous The Hendon Mob Championship will return and is sure to attract a big field because of its solid structure and accessible price point. Get involved, and if you get your first cash, you'll be a part of poker's largest player database. If you are already on thehendonmob.com, come to The Festival and add to those cashes!
"With the release of the 2026 schedule, we are excited to welcome the 6th edition at the beginning of the year after five consecutive years as the season finale. We look forward to opening 2026 together and continuing to provide an exceptional setting for players from across Europe." Feedback provided by Jan Packa, Banco Casino Bratislava.
Want to get to Bratislava or any of the main Series stops being held in 2026? Click here to learn more.
The Festival Online Spring – iPoker Network
April 2026
After the big start in Bratislava, we head online for the first digital stop of the year. The Festival Online Spring gives everyone a chance to join the action from home, and the schedule usually offers something for every type of player. This time, we will even have plenty of mixed games in the mix as the iPoker Network expands its available poker formats! Low buy-ins, mid buy-ins, special formats, you name it. We love these online editions because they bring the full Festival community together, even for players who can’t travel or are just warming up for the live events later in the year.
''iPoker is excited to further strengthen our partnership with The Festival - a team whose commitment to mixed games, community-driven events, and player-focused experiences aligns perfectly with our own values. Since 2024, we have successfully collaborated across Rozvadov, Malta, Bratislava and hosted The Festival Online, which has become the cornerstone of the network’s offering and one of the most anticipated online series on iPoker.'' Feedback provided by Michael Bedulskis, iPoker Network.
The Festival Weekend Vilnius – Lithuania
May 28 – 31, 2026
The first of two debutants to the schedule this year, The Festival Weekend Vilnius will be gracing the felts of the Olympic Casino Lietuva on the brink of summertime. Similar to Banco Bratislava and the Crowne Plaza Bratislava Hotel, The Olympic Casino Lietuva is situated inside the Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, a four-star venue. It is located in the heart of Vilnius, a short walk from the city's New Town and the Old Town.
The previous Weekend Event saw Sviten Special take centre stage; however, it is unconfirmed whether a single game will do this weekend. You will have to stay tuned to find out when that news is released. All we know is, we are excited to come to Vilnius for the first time in The Festival's existence, and we are sure it is going to be a hit with the locals and the players that come to play.
The Festival Rozvadov – Czech Republic
June 9 – 15, 2026
The third stop of the year sees The Festival Series return to sunny Rozvadov for a week of poker action. The Festival Rozvadov 2026 will be the third collaboration between The Festival Series and Europe's palace of poker, King's Resort. Every time we’ve been here, the turnout and energy have been fantastic. King’s Resort is one of the most famous poker venues in Europe, and you can feel that special “poker culture” the moment you walk in. This seven-day stop runs from June 9 - June 15, attracting players from various countries, which creates a great mix of styles and personalities at the tables.
As with all Festival Series stops in Rozvadov, the schedule will be jam-packed with a myriad of Mixed Games, Hold'em, PLO, and much more. The schedule has yet to be confirmed, but expect the usual mainstays of The Festival Series to be on the card come its release date.
- The Hendon Mob Championship: A multi-day event, part of the infamous Championship series of The Hendon Mob, the world's largest poker database! It was here that The Festival Series set the world record of entrants for THMC! Can The Festival do it again this time around?
- Mystery Bounty: A thrilling format where bounties will be revealed with the epic technology and visible throughout the entire casino!
- NLH Main Event: With a guaranteed prize pool of €500,000, this multi-day event will once again be the marquee Hold'em tournament of the week. Czech national Ondřej Már took down the title and a massive €91,001 for his efforts.
- €550 T.O.R.S.E.S Main Event: The Mixed Game Main Event is the week's premier Mixed Game tournament and attracts Mixed Game afficionados from across the continent and beyond.
''Franke’s The Festival is a truly unique tournament that everyone at King’s looks forward to. It’s always a blend of poker, top-tier hospitality, and great vibes. We’re excited to host it again in 2026 and, together, try to break a few records while enjoying the special variants and unforgettable experiences it brings.'' Feedback provided by Federico Brunato, King's Resort Rozvadov.
The Festival Weekend Tallinn – Estonia
July 1 – 5, 2026
The Festival Weekend Tallinn gives players a fun taste of what’s coming later in the year when we return for a full Series. This is the second weekend that has taken place in Tallinn after the Sviten Special weekend that ran last summer. Summer in Tallinn is beautiful, and the city has a relaxed but modern feel that fits perfectly with a shorter Festival schedule. Expect a few days of fast-paced tournaments and a great local poker atmosphere, making this a nice warm-up for the big autumn return.
Olympic Park Casino at the Hilton Tallinn Park Hotel will be the host venue of the Weekend. The 1,600 sqm venue is open 24/7 and offers players a premium playing experience in a nice environment. Players can choose to stay at the Hilton Tallinn Park Hotel to save on commuting time to the venue, and also be in a prime central location just a short walk from the Old Town. The venue is only a 10-minute journey from the airport.There is plenty to see and do in Tallinn. A city steeped in history, Tallinn is Estonia's capital and the country's most populous city. Like Vilnius, Tallinn has one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The sun will be out, so why not take in a spot of Padel at Martin "Franke" von Zweigbergk's Padel Company, situated on the rooftop of the popular Viru Centre. The Viru Centre, a shopping and entertainment hub, is in a prime location in the city, and there is a range of drinks and food to order between matches. The great thing is, you can go up, grab a drink and hang out! There is an air-conditioned office space available to rent if you would like to move your work to a beautiful rooftop setting. It is well worth a visit!
The Festival Weekend Riga – Latvia
September 3 – 6, 2026
The Festival Weekend Riga is new to the calendar, and we cannot wait to visit this amazing city with The Festival Weekend. The weekend will be held at the Olympic Voodoo Casino and will feature a tight but action-packed schedule at an accessible price point. Olympic Voodoo Casino is situated inside the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel. The venue is the largest casino in the Baltic States and is set within the largest hotel in Riga, and is situated in a prime location just a short walk from the Old Town.
The city has a lively nightlife, good food, and a casino environment that always feels friendly and fun. For arts and culture fans, the city is also home to several world-class museums, including the Latvian National Museum of Art, which houses the largest collection of Latvian visual art from the 18th to the 20th century, and the Latvian National Museum of Art, recently renovated to include modern exhibition spaces.
The Weekend format keeps things compact, with each day offering something players don’t want to miss. It’s a great stop for a quick poker trip, meeting new friends, and playing the game we all adore so much.
The Festival Malta – St. Julians, Malta
September 14 – 20, 2026
The Festival Malta will be a popular pick with players when it returns to the luxurious Portomaso Casino in September. Expect an action-packed schedule, amazing weather, and great food and drink to be on hand. Portomaso Casino is situated in the heart of St. Julian's, Malta’s main tourist and entertainment district. Known for its luxurious facilities and excellent service, the casino has hosted some of the most prestigious poker tournaments in Europe. As always, there is something for everyone at a range of accessible buy-in levels, including a plethora of mixed games and other side events scheduled. Highlights include:
- The Hendon Mob Championship: A fan-favourite multi-day event that forms part of the by now iconic Championship series from the world's largest poker database called The Hendon Mob.
- €550 T.O.R.S.E.S Main Event: The premier Mixed Game Event of the week will return once again. Last year, Barrie Dear took down the title for a career-best score.
- NLH Main Event: The Main Event will be the crown jewel of our Malta stop. Last year, it was Portugal's Nuno Morais who took down the event for €61,001.
What I love about The Festival is that it isn’t just about the mixed games—though those are fantastic—it’s also the way it brings fresh energy to our Hold’em players. The structure, the atmosphere, the variety… it gives both local regulars and visitors something they don’t experience anywhere else. The 2026 stop is set to be special, and we’re proud to host it in a room that matches the level of the event.” Feedback provided by Jonathan Micallef, Portomaso Casino.
Malta offers various activities, from exploring ancient historical sites and stunning beaches to enjoying a vibrant nightlife scene. The Festival Series will also provide hospitality packages to lucky online qualifiers who have won a package through one of the eligible online partners. Previous activities have included Wine Tasting, Karaoke, and a Pub Quiz and Brunch, amongst other activities. Here is a look at last year's schedule.
The Festival Online Autumn – iPoker Network
October 2026
In October, we head back online with The Festival Online Autumn with the iPoker Network. This stop gives everyone another chance at Festival glory, enjoy unique online formats, or simply join the Festival fun without packing a suitcase. It’s the perfect way to stay connected with the community while we prepare for one of the biggest live stops of the year, and perhaps even more perfect by trying out new formats which you barely play usually, or want to strengthen your skills at.
''The upcoming editions will grow even further in both scale and diversity, with an expanded slate of Mixed Games joining the schedule in 2026. Our goal is to make The Festival Online the most accessible and entertaining way for players from all over the world to participate, qualify, and immerse themselves in The Festival spirit. We look forward to working closely with Franke and his team in 2026 to deliver memorable The Festival events and The Festival Weekend events both on and off the felt.'' Feedback provided by Michael Bedulskis, iPoker Network.
The Festival Tallinn – Estonia
November 20 – 29, 2026
The Festival Tallinn will see a full series return to Estonia's capital for the first time since 2022. Many players still talk about how special that event was, so coming back four years later feels like returning to a place where The Festival truly grew. Tallinn boasts a beautiful blend of old-town charm and modern venues, and its local poker community is strong and welcoming. There have been two weekend instalments of The Festival Series, but this time at the Olympic Park Casino, it'll be a massive nine-day stint for the players in attendance and The Festival team.
- The Hendon Mob Championship: A fan-favourite multi-day event that forms part of the by now iconic Championship series from the world's largest poker database called The Hendon Mob.
- €550 T.O.R.S.E.S Main Event: The ever-popular marquee Mixed Game Main Event will return with two Day 1 flights and a final Day 2.
- NLH Main Event: The Main Event will be the crown jewel at this stop in Tallinn. In 2022, Eirik Kristiansen took down the title and €56,100 for his efforts. Will he try and defend his Tallinn title he won four years ago?
And that concludes 2026 for The Festival Series. It is going to be massive! Below is a table of the full schedule once again.
The Festival 2026 Dates
| Dates | Event Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| February 23 – March 1, 2026 | The Festival Series | Bratislava, Slovakia |
| May 28 – 31, 2026 | The Festival Weekend | Vilnius, Lithuania |
| June 9 – 15, 2026 | The Festival Series | Rozvadov, Czech Republic |
| July 1 – 5, 2026 | The Festival Weekend | Tallinn, Estonia |
| September 10 – 13, 2026 | The Festival Weekend | Riga, Latvia |
| September 14 – 20, 2026 | The Festival Series | St. Julians, Malta |
| November 20 – 29, 2026 | The Festival Series | Tallinn, Estonia |
What's Next?
Stay tuned to www.thefestival.com, The Festival Series on Facebook and YouTube, and TheFestivalOG on Instagram for continued updates of all things The Festival. The schedule for Bratislava should be released soon, and we will be sure to update you all when it is finalised.
That's all for now, folks. Until next time.
